tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63827528649257638142024-03-10T15:29:34.476-07:00Sister Kati Ford...Happily Serving in Ukraine! Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-23014891194935806592014-10-13T15:30:00.000-07:002014-10-13T15:30:03.670-07:0055 Hours!!!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4636">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4635">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Can you believe it? This is it. The last weekly letter. The last P-day. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpfZYS0c3I8cRkMR8lz7c-R848PwpiT8nJgLZDVw7uu0Ir8EIQoJkKHCdotCCC8tfgQBS1GKVZ-SkKDKl_DzaEv7YS6wfIs5atpaRxBbTHb6LlQAXFuYdxfKTpxD_I6Cs5JCTN3KPci5f/s1600/DSCN2720.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpfZYS0c3I8cRkMR8lz7c-R848PwpiT8nJgLZDVw7uu0Ir8EIQoJkKHCdotCCC8tfgQBS1GKVZ-SkKDKl_DzaEv7YS6wfIs5atpaRxBbTHb6LlQAXFuYdxfKTpxD_I6Cs5JCTN3KPci5f/s1600/DSCN2720.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4634">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4630">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our
apartment is in shambles right now as I am trying to get everything
packed. We have been out and about printing pictures and fixing my boots
and watches. All around me I see people, sights, moments that I am
realizing that I won't see again... Some that I will miss dearly, others
not quite so much. Today as we did repairs on my watches, the repairman
told me how much it cost, then said that if he could kiss me, it would
be free. Even though I clearly understood, I responded with an innocent,
"Sorry, I'm from America, I didn't understand that" then enjoyed when
the lady from the next booth over chewed him out for creeping on innocent
American Girls... I probably won't miss the creepy Ukrainian guys that
follow me everywhere, but I think I will miss the "innocent American"
card that I could always play :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4642">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4643">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This week was full of so many crazy emotions, happy, sad, surprised... Everything! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4644">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4645">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The
Elders and the members planned and threw a surprise going away party for
me. Friday, we usually have our missionary meeting with the Ward Mission
Leader, Brat Roman. On Friday, we arrived at the meeting a little late
(now I know why...) and Roman was standing by the door. He told us that
he had something that he needed to show us and led us into the Sacrament
Hall. When I walked in, I heard, "Surprise!" and the lights turned on
and there was balloons, and posters, and flowers, and all of my favorite
people here from Brovary. I did not even know what to do or to think. I
was in shock. They had made a slideshow of pictures from my whole
mission and we all watched that, and then everyone shared their favorite
memories of me... I don't know that I have ever blushed more in my
life! Everyone had presents for me and I don't think I have ever felt
more loved in my life. But the surprises didn't end there! When it was
time for treats, the Elders told me that they had made gluten free
brownies! I asked them how they had done that, and they told me that
about 2 weeks ago, they had been in the office and saw that Sister
Leavitt's Dad had left Brownies for me (thanks!). They took them home
with them, but didn't give them to me and instead kept them as a
surprise until the party. Sneaky elders! Combine that with the fact that
they pulled off a surprise party...sneaky elders. They're the best
haha. </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4646">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4647">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week we spent a lot of time saying goodbye to the members, to my
investigators and to my friends. It's hard to say goodbye! But I know
that at some point, I will see all of them again! Also, Mom and Dad, I
gave pretty much everyone an open invitation to come to our house...so I
hope that is ok for you! :) Ukrainians have a special tradition of
saying what they desire for you when you leave, so I don't even think
that I can count the number of times where someone has wished me "A
handsome husband, many children, and good health". It's so cute. Also,
they all say to pass on to my parents that they raised a fantastic
daughter :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4648">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4649">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">One
cool moment is when I called up a family that I hadn't seen in months,
nonmembers. I invited them to the church to say goodbye and when they
came, they told me how much they appreciated that I introduced them to
the church, and took home with them all the recent Liahona magazines and
everything else that they could see! </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4650">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week, I studied and thought a lot about what I have done on my mission,
who I have become, how I have changed. I thought about success and what
it means to be a successful missionary. In Preach My Gospel, it says
that, "You can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when you feel the
Spirit working through you". I realized that I have so often felt the
Spirit working through me on my mission. Although my mission has been
much different than I ever could have imagined, it has been wonderful,
and I wouldn't change my experiences and what I have learned for
anything else in the world. My mission was perfect for me. I'm so glad
that I served a mission and choose to serve a mission! Yesterday, I was
blessed with a special tender mercy to let me know that the Lord is
pleased with my work. Right before Sacrament meeting started, I was
asked to share my testimony in the meeting and say goodbye. I said a
quick prayer and asked that I could share what the Lord would have me
say and that the people would understand what I said and what I meant.
When I got up to bear my testimony, I felt the Spirit so strongly, and I
felt so confident. The words and thoughts that I wanted to say came
easily to my head. While I was speaking, I felt what I needed to say and
how to say it in Russian. When I finished, I realized that it wasn't me
that was suddenly so great at Russian and such an eloquent speaker, but
that it was the Lord speaking through me. After the meeting, one Sister
from the ward came up and said, "Sister Ford, your testimony was
exactly what I needed to hear today. You helped me feel comfort. When
you spoke, you spoke perfectly, your Russian had no mistakes. You said
exactly what we needed to hear. The Lord spoke through you to us." What a
tender mercy to be an instrument in the hands of God to help the people
here! I LOVE being an instrument of God and allowing the Spirit to work
through me to help others! </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4651">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I
LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! Although my nametag will come off soon, my
missionary work never has to end! I can keep sharing the gospel for my
whole life, not because I have to, but because I want to! I know that
this Gospel is true! It will bless the lives of anyone that lives by it!
I know that God lives, that he answers prayers, that He loves each and
every one of us! I know that His Son, Jesus Christ is our Savior. His
Atonement is a real power and will help us in times of need. It gives us
strength when we can't do any more! This Gospel was restored through
Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus
Christ! This gospel is true, I know it! I LOVE IT! I love my Savior and
no matter what comes next or ever, I will follow Him! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4652">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you all! I can't wait to see you soon! I can't wait to see my family at the airport! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4661">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">See you in about 55 hours (I think?!?!?)! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4660">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4653">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4659">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413238826282_4657">
<br /></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-55946099019295787332014-10-06T18:34:00.000-07:002014-10-06T18:34:05.526-07:00 PRESIDENT KLEBINGAT!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends!</span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37142">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_36942">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy
Monday! I am literally in shock that it is already Monday again...
especially when I look at this week, or the next 9 days.... 9 days! Is
that real?!?! This week is going to go by super fast too. We have a
couple exchanges, a 3 zone conference, a million members to say goodbye
to, and then the last few days! I'm so glad that I am still here on my
mission, enjoying these last few days and these last few special
moments! I don't know exactly what is all in store for this week, but I
am sure that it will be special :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37207">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37208">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
last week was really good! We had exchanges this week and I was with
Sister Grandy! It was super fun, We got to meet with all my favorite
people in Voskresensky that I have been with before on exchanges. One
funny moment was when we asked an old lady to read a scripture and she
pulled out her magnifying glass and read at snail's pace. Sister Grandy
and I were dying! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37209">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37210">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What
else this week?? Oh yeah, one of the members in our ward collects
wigs...so we had a wig party. I decided that my natural hair is the best
;) We did service for her and got to weed her gardens. All our weeding
for a wig party, not a bad deal!! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37216">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7Pi5YtnXaflop9xTY6eJ0XtPkYWl0VDEMMux6l5nd1K87acCNWZ4QJsnlfMl-yQt8YowAz5tKRmdBGP1GYHDhkBB0nTsMcxCfTB-Sln52l0mLVGgldJPVCI-OnKdo3M-Hx88vQECVeEr/s1600/DSCN2649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7Pi5YtnXaflop9xTY6eJ0XtPkYWl0VDEMMux6l5nd1K87acCNWZ4QJsnlfMl-yQt8YowAz5tKRmdBGP1GYHDhkBB0nTsMcxCfTB-Sln52l0mLVGgldJPVCI-OnKdo3M-Hx88vQECVeEr/s1600/DSCN2649.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvZkCu6zQkOrXb5egjlcUhkfMLXwohGqYWvyqR09_K6BqdpSzLm2oKMid6fEp7rwDryAQbJObstYvxAfucdy-KID06usF-05ggmu1XYNBKveQnnw4z87hDkF6SWmbPwGSgNu6NYBzlnWg/s1600/DSCN2653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvZkCu6zQkOrXb5egjlcUhkfMLXwohGqYWvyqR09_K6BqdpSzLm2oKMid6fEp7rwDryAQbJObstYvxAfucdy-KID06usF-05ggmu1XYNBKveQnnw4z87hDkF6SWmbPwGSgNu6NYBzlnWg/s1600/DSCN2653.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqtNPQDJXCSRP9Jhx7qqhpcPtenB_w2XdcJ1KOd7Gf96pGe7uJ1MBWi1pbTHg0dFxdOdjp5lJt3acDrXa4QSKRH3U6QKd2erLMw7qm3Ga3Dv51X4F2ZUUckShOO8btXtTqr8QULt9O1NG/s1600/DSCN2654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqtNPQDJXCSRP9Jhx7qqhpcPtenB_w2XdcJ1KOd7Gf96pGe7uJ1MBWi1pbTHg0dFxdOdjp5lJt3acDrXa4QSKRH3U6QKd2erLMw7qm3Ga3Dv51X4F2ZUUckShOO8btXtTqr8QULt9O1NG/s1600/DSCN2654.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which one do you like the most?!?!? haha :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37217">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We
worked a lot with Sergey this week, even taking him with us to a Family
Home Evening. He fasted yesterday to know what he should do. I don't
think he will be ready for baptism on Saturday, so my next goal is
shooting for the 25th of October. Birthday gift maybe?!?? We also
focused a lot on Joseph Smith. It was super good and I got the chance to
strengthen my testimony of Joseph Smith. I'm so grateful that God and
Jesus Christ appeared to him in answer to his prayer and restored the
gospel through him. I'm grateful for prophets, from Joseph Smith up to
our modern day Prophets and Apostles. I'm grateful that they speak God's
words to us! Like at general conference! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37218">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ43sZz11CHUYflK18xNHTG4-43mU9SCiK-si7RIZKnzxgc0KcNFIm4TamLfRf1kwVGadVYLEDh25fNfbiaBsQ2mtTq_0cgToBYPKxIuDHrBZ4SnaLq_Mym0i09FPgnHxxQvxXLmk37pP/s1600/DSCN2657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ43sZz11CHUYflK18xNHTG4-43mU9SCiK-si7RIZKnzxgc0KcNFIm4TamLfRf1kwVGadVYLEDh25fNfbiaBsQ2mtTq_0cgToBYPKxIuDHrBZ4SnaLq_Mym0i09FPgnHxxQvxXLmk37pP/s1600/DSCN2657.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Already saying goodbye to members :( </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-pjLo6sAxX4BbRS71jMTWjy57iVu-ydleeklZibuU5wxfEJYttlYe12jv4BA0VOzdW_MaY8GArQzfz34Aoe_dzzag-rui-NMwhvKTr4scvhsx2aK-vqzD0ntBQFMBFL5VKxNrbJkRb3p/s1600/DSCN2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-pjLo6sAxX4BbRS71jMTWjy57iVu-ydleeklZibuU5wxfEJYttlYe12jv4BA0VOzdW_MaY8GArQzfz34Aoe_dzzag-rui-NMwhvKTr4scvhsx2aK-vqzD0ntBQFMBFL5VKxNrbJkRb3p/s1600/DSCN2647.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_40413" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Babyshka on exchanges :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_40408">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37219">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Speaking of General Conference... </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37220">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37221">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I
think that the highlight of my week was the little bit of conference
that we got to watch. We watched the Saturday Afternoon session and all
of it was super good! But, my favorite part (of course) was watching
PRESIDENT (now Elder) KLEBINGAT SPEAK! oh my, it was so good to hear him
and see him! His talk was so good! If you want to know what he taught
us in conferences, just watch that talk! The things that he mentioned
are all things that I learned from him! Oh, it was so good! We watched
it with the elders and we were all just freaking out about how cool it
was. That's my mission president everyone!!!! He is the best! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37222">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm
so glad that the rest of the world gets to "meet" President Klebingat
and that they get a little chance to see how great he is and learn from
him too! That is really what he is like, bold, smart, encouraging,
obsessed with exercise and determined to help us become better so that
we can be comfortable returning to live with God again! So cool! :) </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37223">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I
love being a missionary! I love doing this work and having the
opportunity to put on my special black nametag everyday, the nametag
with both my name and the name of Jesus Christ! I'm grateful to
represent Him here in Ukraine and to invite people to come unto Him and
accept His Atonement! I'm grateful for the power of the Atonement, not
just the power to be cleansed from sin, but also the power and strength
to do more than our natural strength! I know that power is real, and
have seen it in my life. At times when there is so much physical pain,
or emotional trials or anything else, God gives us the strength to keep
going! I love my Savior! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37240">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37224">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wish my luck as we explore KYIV and enjoy our last day of adventure here :)</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37225">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love all of you :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37239">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37238">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37226">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtA_lmhHdpAgFLliQJLp7m7cyv6pdCrnt3yJ5fvTrDBv2N1XEHybi4H23spWZs-nZu2GUDjQT0UcZl3IT6qm-5lxr0jq_R3mA5o0W-RPRXZ190YLN-VSXcZshe8OHhtsPbMcK7UoWQ83PT/s1600/DSCN2659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtA_lmhHdpAgFLliQJLp7m7cyv6pdCrnt3yJ5fvTrDBv2N1XEHybi4H23spWZs-nZu2GUDjQT0UcZl3IT6qm-5lxr0jq_R3mA5o0W-RPRXZ190YLN-VSXcZshe8OHhtsPbMcK7UoWQ83PT/s1600/DSCN2659.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412638957600_37227">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">PS-
pancakes with our disctrict... We invited a bunch of other people, but
no one else came... sad :( Everyone else was too busy to watch
conference and eat pancakes...they missed out! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-44764979560203282572014-09-29T17:49:00.000-07:002014-09-29T17:49:16.549-07:00 BONUS TIME!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25138">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25139">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy
P-day! I have some really good news, I finally found my tights, they
were in a box on the balcony, I'm not sure how they got there, but I'm
glad I found them. In not so good news, I had to use them because it is
so cold here! Winter is coming super quickly! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf5AkI4qaa0ljFqgNYyJsU8U4ZChhdixLFBd6OhpjiDaiaZZTyAKkUMob1UHh4mpRN1PkuoXp2qJxSLON5MZwrbDgnDU8KDLrL0WXVVC-6-G0n50Qi9gWdYphHsQ0CwYfsQ5yFNiz_P29/s1600/DSCN2631.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25135">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cold weather!!!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25132">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In
other good news, Saturday was September 27th! MY 18th MONTH MARK! :) I
can't even believe it! :) It was a really good day... I'll tell you all
about it! :) </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxLa1bKGCn__m2rPREXdqTlLNkQ_pKJE1LRxnQ9ulFrPPux13705iRlYRBS715vJ8lmYUoeWH4sogFA_gweNoIUZx-xoIeIF6se0wAUn1t2xafSlbmj-ckCzTr-ba3xVZJsDVpsuK3ggg/s1600/DSCN2641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxLa1bKGCn__m2rPREXdqTlLNkQ_pKJE1LRxnQ9ulFrPPux13705iRlYRBS715vJ8lmYUoeWH4sogFA_gweNoIUZx-xoIeIF6se0wAUn1t2xafSlbmj-ckCzTr-ba3xVZJsDVpsuK3ggg/s1600/DSCN2641.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25132">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25157" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Elder Grochmal, Sister Lee and I </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25157" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">celebrating 18 months after the baptism :) </span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25131">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25130">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Overall,
this week was super good! I just can't believe how fast everything is
coming to an end. The days are flying by super fast. Anytime that I am
with the members, they ask me what I will do when I get home and what I
will miss and what I am excited to see. It's freaking me out! But it's
so good! Last week, I did some shopping and got some books in Russian,
including Pushkin stories and the Hunger Games in russian! I had to hide
them away in my suitcase so that I wouldn't be tempted to read them :) </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOVlCKVlf8e3YT3gDJTB9Z6wn5unuYLvd3AAGg6EMPzSiCf34Y_K5eZpPAQyOzNCZEbsTysaKeWgqVUqy5cdSpxkxmw8PsfoIwmcEsgINFPDohZ2R8UUOeFoge0t8tpNK8zzqaFOLxAic/s1600/DSCN2636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOVlCKVlf8e3YT3gDJTB9Z6wn5unuYLvd3AAGg6EMPzSiCf34Y_K5eZpPAQyOzNCZEbsTysaKeWgqVUqy5cdSpxkxmw8PsfoIwmcEsgINFPDohZ2R8UUOeFoge0t8tpNK8zzqaFOLxAic/s1600/DSCN2636.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25140">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me and kitten :) </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_24942">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I
can't believe that I have been on my mission for 18 months. It's so
weird how time flies so quickly, I seriously feel like I have only been a
missionary for maybe 6 or 8 months. But it's already been so much
longer. Right now, I am reading the Book of Mormon and trying to finish
it before I go home. Right now, I am in Alma and on Saturday, I read
Alma 26, where Ammon talks about his missionary service. That chapter
hit me so strongly and I reflected on my missionary service. Just like
Ammon, I was filled with gratitude to God for all the amazing
opportunities that I have had on my mission and all the lessons that I
have learned and for the person that God has helped me become. As I
thought about the last few weeks that I have left, I thought of a soccer
analogy. You know how in soccer, they play for the regulation 90
minutes, and then after that time ends, they have the added time, or
bonus time? I feel like right now, I have entered that bonus time! In
all the soccer games that I have seen, the players always give
everything that they have during that last time, and they play their
best defense and offense. Teams oftentimes score and have great plays
during those last few minutes. And it is the same for me! This is the
last few "minutes", the last sprint to the end. I know that the Lord
still has work for me to do here, and together we make an unstoppable
team! So it's just time to give everything that I have, to work as hard
as I can, and to do all that I can to help the Lord's work progress here
in Ukraine! It's a great time to be a missionary! :) </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As
I read Alma 26, I was really touched verse 16, where it says, "I cannot
say the smallest part which I feel". I thought of moments on my
mission, where I have learned something or felt the Spirit super
strongly, and then no matter how hard I try, I can't write about it or
talk about it in a way that does it justice. Ammon felt that same way!
And as I reflected on that, I realized that these feelings can't be
described because they aren't earthly feelings. When we feel the Spirit
so strongly or we are taught through revelation, those are heavenly
feelings that we are feeling. The natural man doesn't understand those
feelings and using our limited earthly knowledge, we can't explain how
we are feeling. We are so lucky that we can still experience those
feelings from time to time, as we work on becoming those heavenly
creatures. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25141">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I
had a moment this week, where I felt some of those feelings. On
Saturday, we took Sergey with us to a baptism. Before the baptism, we
took him out to eat with a senior couple (the MacLeods) and they did a
great job telling him about how they came to the church and learned
about the gospel. He was so shocked that they had 30 grandchildren :)
haha. Then after lunch, we went to the baptism. There was a lot of
missionaries there, which Sergey loved. He wants to serve a mission, so
he always asks why missionaries chose to serve and why they are members
of this church. But the best part was the actual baptism. The spirit was
so strong. After the closing prayer, I leaned over to Sergey and asked
him how he was feeling right at that very moment. He said that he felt
peaceful, and I told him, 'that is the Holy Ghost speaking to you". and
then I asked him about baptism, and he said that he thinks that he will
be baptized!!!!!!!!!!! Right now he is praying to know if he should be
baptized on the 11th of October. That happens to be my last Saturday in
Ukraine, so that would be ideal :) I hope he receives that answer, but I
know that the Lord has His plan for Sergey, so whatever happens will be
great :) </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25142">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As
I was reading the Book of Mormon this week, I made a really cool
connection. As I was studying more about discipleship, I noticed a
pattern in the Book of Mormon, where anytime that someone comes to know
and understand the Atonement, they start immediately to share the
gospel. And they share it forever, with all their heart and strength.
You can see it all over the Book of Mormon (for example- Alma the
Younger (Alma 36:24) , King Lamoni (Alma 19:31), King Lamoni's father
(Alma 22:23), Alma the Elder (Mosiah 18:1) and more!) Once they repent
and use the Atonement, they can't help but share the gospel. It talks
about that same thing in Preach My Gospel when it says that, "As your
understanding of the Atonement increases, your desire to share the
gospel will increase". I realized that if I want to be a better
missionary, I need to constantly increase my understanding of the
Atonement and apply the Atonement in my life. If I want the members to
share the gospel, I need to help them understand and apply the
Atonement. I feel like so many Saints have a knowledge of the Atonement,
but we don't use it in our lives as much as we could! I feel like there
is so much power from the Atonement that the vast majority of members
don't know how to use. Alma talks about how the knowledge of the
Atonement helped him to endure through all his trials. He must have
relied on the power of the Atonement while watching the women and
children burn, while praying for his son to repent, while watching the
people harden their hearts and fall away. I learned that I can
absolutely rely on the power of the Atonement to overcome my trials and
hard times. I want to more fully apply the power of the Atonement me, to
strengthen me beyond my own strength. And I want to help the people
here understand that power as well! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25143">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25144">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I watched part of the Women's Meeting, It was super good! I felt so much sisterhood love ;) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25145">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25146">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Darn
it, I had more that I wanted to say, but we are being told we have to
leave :( Oh well, I'll tell you it all soon enough! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25147">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25148">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I LOVE YOU! Don't forget to watch general conference this week! Especially Saturday Afternoon, :) :) :) :) </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25149">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25162">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411959011482_25160">
<br /></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-33511021859495287492014-09-22T16:35:00.005-07:002014-09-22T16:35:58.230-07:00Was that just a dream?????<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8940">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8939">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's
getting so cold here! I think that they are going to have an early
winter! I just hope it waits until I get home, I misplaced all my tights
somewhere! Oops! ;)</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8938">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8934">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week, I had a pretty funny experience that helped me see my mission
with new eyes! On Thursday, we got mail, and I got a letter from Tyson
and Zach's Sunday School Class. They have done a really good job of
writing occasionally and I really appreciate it! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8933">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8596">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As
I opened the letter, there was a bunch of different notes from
different members of the class. As I read the notes, I read about school
starting and sports and homework. But then I noticed that most of the
notes had a common theme, "We may be sending a package soon". I thought
that was REALLY weird, considering that I go home in like 4 weeks. But I
kept reading. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8958">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Then
I got to the note from Zach. He said that BYU football lost to Utah by
7. I was really confused, because BYU hasn't played Utah in football
this year... Then he said that his football has lost every game so far,
and I was extra confused because I know that they won at least one. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8959">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Then I got to the note from Tyson. He said that he was really excited to turn 13. </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8960">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8961">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">WAIT a second, I thought that Tyson was turning 14 this year! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8962">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8963">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">At
that moment, the following thought flashed through my mind, "This last
year has all been a dream and it's still last year and I still have a
year left on my mission". It was a freaky thought, but then I realized
that there was probably another more probable solution. I examined the
envelope, only to see that the letter was postmarked 27 October 2013. It
took almost a whole year to get to me! Haha. It was a super weird
feeling though, like I had been dreaming for the last year. I'm so
grateful that my mission isn't actually a dream and that it all really
happened, trials and blessings! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8964">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8965">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Seriously
though, Sometimes I feel like this is all a dream because the days are
passing so fast, they feel like minutes or seconds going by. No matter
how much I try to slow the days down, they are just flying by! Super
fast! I can't believe that yet anther week has gone by! Wow! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8966">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8967">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week was fun! I spoke in church yesterday! It was really good, I spoke
about covenants! The first speaker spoke for 25 minutes, and the Stake
President was visiting and needed to speak after me, so my talk was
basically 5 minutes, instead of 15 minutes like I had planned, but it
was good. Covenants are so cool! I learned and realized that you really
can receive blessings and power by keeping covenants that you make with
God! There are huge blessings promised for those that keep their
covenants! </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8968">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Also
this week, we took Sergey to a YSA Fireside. President Packer and his
wife spoke. We warned President Packer that Sergey was coming, and
President spoke just to him for a lot of the meeting, talking about the
importance of baptism and how to hear the voice of the Holy Ghost. It
was perfect! They also talked a lot about marriage! AHH! But they have a
super cute proposal story! ;) </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPcQlyme3aJXfDaN7XniLcRMAAtIltJQRqOa14oDi0MYzbFvBFGDmtpft3S59-1ABw7Nv2ZtxpHHaKd2oOEGArrqLd3cRpMaVlpJ7u1I0BPfh_Miw2qhUH0-lTPhUnZ7yJ_7Q5TzSUfv_/s1600/DSCN2627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPcQlyme3aJXfDaN7XniLcRMAAtIltJQRqOa14oDi0MYzbFvBFGDmtpft3S59-1ABw7Nv2ZtxpHHaKd2oOEGArrqLd3cRpMaVlpJ7u1I0BPfh_Miw2qhUH0-lTPhUnZ7yJ_7Q5TzSUfv_/s1600/DSCN2627.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">I bought a ukrainian headdress :) </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCRIU4fskWtrYW6q4RzpMVNYghFUwNNtiMr_vGhTuwkXqxrLODOTBnao-eSKoxiRnPhvYiDRwH1Z-JIBCa0OHh6qDqOTbZNVRYMVWci9XE4RGUW-uv_WIZA43EG5YpFEHo30Mvaw4DZBq/s1600/DSCN2626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCRIU4fskWtrYW6q4RzpMVNYghFUwNNtiMr_vGhTuwkXqxrLODOTBnao-eSKoxiRnPhvYiDRwH1Z-JIBCa0OHh6qDqOTbZNVRYMVWci9XE4RGUW-uv_WIZA43EG5YpFEHo30Mvaw4DZBq/s1600/DSCN2626.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8984" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sister Batalova and I, sharing some love with another sister :) </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBb70eRgNV6bqlgIq-yXKDYzQ3YLY-hjm9HpzdhjWvf1QKz9oq0O0-wLeEOg1YZwhlqa2_NXurF2jjAaLGOmAEPej9XxpM8V5c8qu6Cu6lsOimt1XMqc-r9Ci75QwT0srgfw3kzUkqJ9iE/s1600/DSCN2622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBb70eRgNV6bqlgIq-yXKDYzQ3YLY-hjm9HpzdhjWvf1QKz9oq0O0-wLeEOg1YZwhlqa2_NXurF2jjAaLGOmAEPej9XxpM8V5c8qu6Cu6lsOimt1XMqc-r9Ci75QwT0srgfw3kzUkqJ9iE/s1600/DSCN2622.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8969">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look! Gluten free banana bread...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">except it wasn't. :( </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Did you know that baking </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">powder has gluten in it... now I do! </span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8969">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8970">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Speaking
of Sergey, he is progressing super well! We have focused on teaching
him this week about how God speaks to people, because he isn't sure that
he received an answer. So we watched a Mormon Message with him and
asked him to try and ask God to explain and help him know how He (God)
speaks to him (Sergey). He did that and his prayer was answered in a
pretty special way. He was waiting at the bus stop, and just barely
missed his bus. As he was standing there, he looked around and saw a
billboard. On that billboard was written, "Ask and you shall receive,
seek and ye shall find... You will find the kingdom of God where you see
faithful people gathered" or something along that lines. He was pretty
shocked and took that to be an answer! It is so cool to see someone that
has never had much faith in God receive answer after answer and come
closer and closer to God by the day! It is such a miracle! </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8971">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I know that God hears and answers our prayers. In the last conference, Sister Stevens spoke about prayer and said,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8972">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> "Wherever
we find ourselves on the path of discipleship, whatever our worries and
challenges may be, we are not alone. You are not forgotten. We can
choose to reach for God’s hand in our need. We can face our challenges
with prayer and trust in the Lord. And in the process we become more
like Him.Speaking to each of us, the Lord says, “Fear … not; … I am with
thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; …I
will help thee;yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my
righteousness.” </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8993">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8994">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It
has been fun to see Sergey progress and learn this lesson and to
continually relearn this lesson myself! I know that God helps us and
that He loves us! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8995">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8996">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a great week! Don't forget to watch the women's meeting on Saturday night! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8992">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8997">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYSON! 14 years old! :) Yay! :) Have fun at those stake dances ;) ;) ;) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8991">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8990">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you all! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8989">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411428232436_8988">
<br /></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-40297272584923009402014-09-17T19:26:00.000-07:002014-09-17T19:26:16.737-07:00 "Oh sister!"<div class="body undoreset" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_3876" role="gridcell" tabindex="0">
<div id="yiv6841563535">
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_3875">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4341">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4339">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yay!
I'm back and working! This week was crazy getting a new companion and
shipping my other companion off, but it has been really good. I said
goodbye to Sister Larcabal on Wednesday, it was such a good experience
to serve with her for the last 3 transfers. I learned so much from her,
and I'm so grateful that we were able to grow so close! I love her! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4338">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_3874">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So
that means that I started with my new companion, Sister Batalova. She
is from Russia, and I am absolutely in love with her. We are having a
really great time together. She is super funny and we spend a lot of our
time laughing. She loves the color pink, shopping, and cats. She has
the cutest Russian accent when she talks in English, "Oh sister..." I
wish I could send it over email. When she talks in Russian, people ask
her if she is from America because she is getting an American accent
after living with missionaries for so long... oops. I wish that went the
other way, but no one has told me that I have a Russian Accent yet.
Maybe this week.<br /><br />One of the best parts about serving with
someone that knows Russian very well and English not quite as well is
teaching each other fun sayings. I never realized how much slang I used
until this last week. I taught her "He didn't fall for it" "He was
hitting on me" and "Yolo". She in turn taught me the Russian version of
"He was hitting on me" and the common (?!?) phrase "Good Job. Take a
cucumber from the shelf" that I guess all mothers always saw. (So that
she doesn't sound super insane, it rhymes in Russian, so it kinda makes
sense...haha)</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4344">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4345">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week we were able to teach Sergey so many times! He is progressing so
well and it is so fun to teach him! He is really getting into the Book
of Mormon! He was having a hard time really understanding it, so we
taught a lesson about scripture study and how to start with prayer and
focus on reading less and learning more from it, and he did just that
and has been learning so much. We also had an extremely powerful lesson
about prayer where we all shared powerful stories about having our
prayers answered, but maybe in different ways than we thought they would
be. </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4346">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4347">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Last
night, we had a Recent Convert Family Home Evening and brought Sergey
along. It was SO FUN! We brought a bunch of different props and acted
out stories from the Book of Mormon. One group did Nephi getting the
Plates and our group did Samuel the Lamanite. It was so fun. We ate cake
and played a fun dice game and just had a really good time. Sergey
really loved it and told us how he feels like he is part of a family
when he is with people from church. I thought that was really cool
because he couldn't even really speak to a lot of the recent converts
because they speak English, not Russian, but he still felt like family
with them. So that was really cool! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4348">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4349">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Today,
for P-day, we were in Kyiv for a bit. We ate lunch at the "Friends
Cafe", which was decorated on the inside exactly like the cafe from the
TV show Friends. (But Ukrainian Style) Sister Batalova loved it and for
me, it brought back a lot of crazy memories from my first semester of
college. haha. :)</span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4350">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4352">
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> As
I was studying this week, I realized how so much in the Doctrine and
Covenants is about missionary work and new members of the church being
called to serve on missions. It is especially fascinating to read
because the majority of it comes straight from the Lord, with Him
talking straight to the elders he calls. As I reflected on those calls, I
realized that the same advice and counsel and blessings that the Lord
gives to those missionaries back then would be the same advice and
counsel and blessings that the Lord would give me today. So I took the
things that really stood out to me in the various sections of the
Doctrine and Covenants and created "My Mission Call from the Lord". </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4371">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I,
the Lord, have a great work for you to do. Ye are chosen to bear
testimony of my name, called to cry repentance and declare glad tidings,
at all times, and in all things, and it all places. Ye shall go forth,
anxiously engaged, opening thy mouth, declaring my gospel with the sound
of rejoicing, laying the foundation of a great work through small and
simple things. Arise and gird up your loins, take up my cross, follow me
and feed my sheep. Doubt not, for behold my grace is sufficient for
you. Sanctify yourselves and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast
made and ye shall be endowed with power. Be not weary in well-doing, but
waste and wear out your lives and be diligent unto the end. Be of good
cheer and do not fear, for I , the Lord am with you and will stand by
you. I am in thy midst, my Spirit in your hearts, and my angels round
about you, to bear you up. I will bless all those who labor in my
vineyard with a mighty blessing, for the testimonies which ye have borne
are recorded in heaven. Ye are on my errand and I am with thee. How
great is your calling!" </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4351">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4353">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As
I have reread that over this week, it have helped me to keep going when
things are tough. The Lord expects a lot out of His missionaries, but
he also blesses us so much more than we ever deserve. It is really a
privilege to be a missionary and be constantly serving the Lord! </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4370">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4369">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you all! Keep praying for our investigators! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4354">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4368">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj03qlONVKUBpuNSj2oXDniOe02KrV3T1peqbCR7wemsCFLIkvrPHjTjuBH1p2BWj26zYvqjrCiRKlvm73XwCKYDpT69uj12fzU1lTGEPI9xN93DPxMVJZcgBWsdhM1QAI2_nibvVFsexN/s1600/DSCN2619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj03qlONVKUBpuNSj2oXDniOe02KrV3T1peqbCR7wemsCFLIkvrPHjTjuBH1p2BWj26zYvqjrCiRKlvm73XwCKYDpT69uj12fzU1lTGEPI9xN93DPxMVJZcgBWsdhM1QAI2_nibvVFsexN/s1600/DSCN2619.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayKSxbN333cQk9lfynnAJxpgyFffhEEyH0LrOK7cgg-P4LflsgMFQAcT_2yyv-ULjE970AUVnbzBXUicboBcb0ih4Pj71THKXvUk51coo7JEB5g4jDEDRXmQ9srNgyFxj56WvG5ybA7-h/s1600/DSCN2620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayKSxbN333cQk9lfynnAJxpgyFffhEEyH0LrOK7cgg-P4LflsgMFQAcT_2yyv-ULjE970AUVnbzBXUicboBcb0ih4Pj71THKXvUk51coo7JEB5g4jDEDRXmQ9srNgyFxj56WvG5ybA7-h/s1600/DSCN2620.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4355">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1411006464648_4367">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ps- Me at the Friend's cafe...Sorry I didn't take many pics this week, I don't even have one of Sister Batalova...next week :) </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-53515131268757417652014-09-08T11:53:00.000-07:002014-09-08T11:53:11.403-07:00 Miracles and Tender Mercies<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2650">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2648">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm
sure that you are all dying to know about how my first few days with
Sister Batalova went, and to maybe hear some funny stories about maybe a
cultural difference or a language misunderstanding... Unfortunately,
y'all are going to have to wait because I haven't started to serve with
her yet. This week has been absolutely insane and nothing like I had
imagined it would be. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GAWpdyNuUa0vExyelWDUkgnLrWY5fErwHLdEUQCOjGfwjTAsnFHXdMKz9ggMtD-ePvjuAPRc7HlY8hXNqi1WvU-EkjTlnHqVh3xix3KzlEPfUooloroDTdEic4tkf-kXhmcPMfdepCXw/s1600/DSC00977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GAWpdyNuUa0vExyelWDUkgnLrWY5fErwHLdEUQCOjGfwjTAsnFHXdMKz9ggMtD-ePvjuAPRc7HlY8hXNqi1WvU-EkjTlnHqVh3xix3KzlEPfUooloroDTdEic4tkf-kXhmcPMfdepCXw/s1600/DSC00977.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2647" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">me sister robertson sister hunt and steinacker!</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2647" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2350">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And,
if I'm being totally honest, most of you don't even know what is going
on because I didn't write about it last week. But last week, I had to go
to the doctor, where they told me that I had fractured my back again. I
(understandably) was really worried about it, but after a confirming
MRI, they discovered that nothing was fractured or broken or anything.
However, it was inflamed and so they prescribed a week of rest. So this
week was absolutely CRAZY as I did exchanges with everyone until finally
ending up with Elder and Sister MacLeod (a senior couple) during the
day and the neighboring Sister Missionaries by night. It has been super
crazy, but I've seen a lot of tender mercies and miracles. I think the
biggest is that the MacLeods are seriously angels on earth. They have
been taking such good care of me, they are seriously like my grandparents
here, and I am so grateful for their service and help for me. I don't
know what I would've done without them. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjev1W-M1ZPz75b4_nlrTkTXXkO-_yKliTIQ_WCWqXPueu-M37T7LZjanbIPOWqfp1R6mLZ5O_WB4wwNrgPclH2269A5y_jO-nxA3PO74psyldrpqIG-i6xBNOQcs2rjw2phy7_VVHsnRX2/s1600/DSCN2588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjev1W-M1ZPz75b4_nlrTkTXXkO-_yKliTIQ_WCWqXPueu-M37T7LZjanbIPOWqfp1R6mLZ5O_WB4wwNrgPclH2269A5y_jO-nxA3PO74psyldrpqIG-i6xBNOQcs2rjw2phy7_VVHsnRX2/s1600/DSCN2588.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2655" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Resting with Sister hunt and Sister MacLeod</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2655" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2349">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In
a really awesome tender mercy, the neighboring sisters just happen to
include Sister Hunt (hehehe) so I have been staying with them the last
few days. I, of course, love being with Sister Hunt and her new
companion, Sister Steinacker is the sweetest. They have been taking such
good care of me and I'm so grateful for them too! :) </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKlV8T4hvhJsWYRBUgHFJh1gipwUULTEGd7fGF6PxJZCfpZZE82ryDlM1GhtIqEbY4HGFWmaEcL_kiX5qtX2L0tYAf5Y0Hw42QCFqRbsKXR1cJfPf7BWpRDI6D4RR4b4iLv_-zXG7SbaL/s1600/DSCN2583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKlV8T4hvhJsWYRBUgHFJh1gipwUULTEGd7fGF6PxJZCfpZZE82ryDlM1GhtIqEbY4HGFWmaEcL_kiX5qtX2L0tYAf5Y0Hw42QCFqRbsKXR1cJfPf7BWpRDI6D4RR4b4iLv_-zXG7SbaL/s1600/DSCN2583.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2656" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">pretty views</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2656" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2203">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, Senior couples eat way better than normal missionaries. I have had the best food of my whole mission! :)</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2657">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2658">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But
in the sense of real miracles, I have seen those too. I got to Skype
yesterday and talk to Julianna! I only got to talk to her for a few
minutes but it was so good to see her and to talk to her! She is loving
school and got a hair cut thing and is looking so good! Ahh! I love her
so much and I love that I can still see her, even when she is so far
away! :) Also, Oksana has agreed to meet with us again, during her
lunch time! It was so good to see her! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2659">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2660">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On
Monday, I was with Sister Wallace, and we had gone to do my MRI. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6GF6wTnGhSR3AlPTwdSkpyro_UpjMbhgEgdCMf-rAWjUvYGmEDWXJ8zq1mwooNL0OR5yzSNZKMi3_NybG3xnTEpd-z_MlYwD-hWFvYGTjiCYF0UplvH9S9FFPoppsXQoUo60wqi1gfSy/s1600/DSCN2576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6GF6wTnGhSR3AlPTwdSkpyro_UpjMbhgEgdCMf-rAWjUvYGmEDWXJ8zq1mwooNL0OR5yzSNZKMi3_NybG3xnTEpd-z_MlYwD-hWFvYGTjiCYF0UplvH9S9FFPoppsXQoUo60wqi1gfSy/s1600/DSCN2576.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2660" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> sister wallace and I </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2660" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2660">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After
the MRI, we had an hour before we got the results. We didn't really know
what to do with that time, but decided to go look for something to eat.
As we were walking, a young girl (Olga) came up to us and introduced
herself to us. At first, I thought that she was a girl from Sister
Wallace's area, but then we found out that she was a recent convert from
Dniproprotrosk that had just been baptized a few weeks earlier. It was
her first full day alone in Kyiv, where she had come to study. She was
alone, afraid, and sick. She had found and called the elders asking for a
blessing, but couldn't find the church. Right when she was about to
give up and go back to her dorm, she saw us! We were able to lead her to
the church and be with her while the elders gave her a blessing. We
exchanged numbers and told her about when church was here. Right when we
walked her back to the Metro station, we looked at our watches and
noticed that it had been 55 minutes, giving us just enough time to walk
back to the hospital and pick up the results. It was really cool to be a
part of a miracle to help Olga! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mBVOAEuBrrjqYBjlDJid11_iYcIs5iycoTNitcpR6PYAziQY90uWvd8o_nXGyP4JHqwvYTJQQrqZ0eWo178KNJqh9cZE5xFLRguZGcDtg5-DLBXDK5-fabQxksyTrBqAJYIx4aRL1wj7/s1600/DSCN2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mBVOAEuBrrjqYBjlDJid11_iYcIs5iycoTNitcpR6PYAziQY90uWvd8o_nXGyP4JHqwvYTJQQrqZ0eWo178KNJqh9cZE5xFLRguZGcDtg5-DLBXDK5-fabQxksyTrBqAJYIx4aRL1wj7/s1600/DSCN2572.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2678" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">our district</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2678" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2661">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also,
it has been really cool because even though I haven't been in Brovary,
Sister Larcabal and Batalova have worked really hard. One of our
investigators, Sergey, has been progressing so well!!! He said that
he believes that God is answering his prayers. When they asked him to be
baptized when he knows that it is true, he said yes! They asked him
about a specific date and he said, "yes, if I don't have work!" So I am
so excited to work with him when I can go back :) </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2L1JiEMyxoY6OSvqR9ngppE-oey4DcE9OOhOdoul_5zFT-yt988bNhje1Z4gOLk21BEdh9ykYWWBFTQYMEl-bJgPpBf4JwQrF2CYwONLGVvVq7C9VAbDS7d_znyjItgTbOJmDwB_rban9/s1600/DSCN2577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2L1JiEMyxoY6OSvqR9ngppE-oey4DcE9OOhOdoul_5zFT-yt988bNhje1Z4gOLk21BEdh9ykYWWBFTQYMEl-bJgPpBf4JwQrF2CYwONLGVvVq7C9VAbDS7d_znyjItgTbOJmDwB_rban9/s1600/DSCN2577.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2677" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Exchanges with Sister Zharkova!</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2677" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2662">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
know that God lives and loves us! He always has a perfect plan for us
as He, through our trials and experiences, molds us into what He wants
us to become. He knows what He is doing and He knows why these things
need to happen. He knows why my back hurts and what I need at this time.
And when I see how the trials in the past have blessed my life now, I
have no choice but to trust in Him for the future. I'm in His hands and
everything will be just how he wants it to be. :) </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKn6j1Piy0QfGcgAzMsbSC3KzGjps4MGfNNFhM7FPyfVyZty-RcaiEPo58T7v6RbscwrLG5dtl8S1dL7ieN0lHW27tx7NMkZRBlRwdt31kfSen1tsx2eb6Lzg1r8iIBBy25FLy_k0OQsdW/s1600/DSCN2579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKn6j1Piy0QfGcgAzMsbSC3KzGjps4MGfNNFhM7FPyfVyZty-RcaiEPo58T7v6RbscwrLG5dtl8S1dL7ieN0lHW27tx7NMkZRBlRwdt31kfSen1tsx2eb6Lzg1r8iIBBy25FLy_k0OQsdW/s1600/DSCN2579.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2663" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We got to see Oksana again right before I left! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2663" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2676">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Being
a missionary is so fun! I miss the typical missionary work and I can't
wait to get back to work! I know that this gospel is SO true and I love
being here in Ukraine!</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2664">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love you all! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2680">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2675">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1410200932405_2665">
<br /></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-76160261101314224382014-09-01T16:14:00.003-07:002014-09-01T16:14:55.738-07:00HAPPY SEPTEMBER FIRST! <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3020">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_2386">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HAPPY
SEPTEMBER FIRST! This is one of my favorite Ukrainian Holidays. Every
year, on September 1st, school starts. So all the little kids get
dressed up in their best school uniforms, and they go to school with
their families to meet their teachers and get books and all that. The
girls all have huge white bows in their hair, and most of them have pig
tails. It is so cute :) All the kids take huge bunches of flowers to
their teachers (I'm not sure what the teachers do with so many flowers)
and chocolate and such. It is so fun to see all the teachers and
children together and to see them going back to school. It is super
cute! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_2385">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_2384">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
week was really good. Full of lots of little miracles and tender
mercies! I love being here in Ukraine! I love being a missionary! This
week hasn't been easy, but I've found that as I trust in God, and take
one step at a time I realize that He is continuing to mold me into the
person that He wants me to be. He has a perfect plan for me, and it is
different then what I want, but exactly what I need. No one can argue
that the Lord doesn't know best, right? :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_2383">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_2236">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
week was full of tender mercies, especially in considering who I saw! I
got to do an exchange with Sister Hunt </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkYRyZkFMdkvGhxUstnDPkWBkjTBrOGlaOZoq6w7DtzGtarI91s3kOub_mNX_IoXPs4bRKRSykwWbPqBuiLv3XFZCRuzLqh2mu1SqeJyhhg6A4ETtj99ghqUbaDXF9lBP8Ttyluj5-nXz/s1600/DSCN2561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkYRyZkFMdkvGhxUstnDPkWBkjTBrOGlaOZoq6w7DtzGtarI91s3kOub_mNX_IoXPs4bRKRSykwWbPqBuiLv3XFZCRuzLqh2mu1SqeJyhhg6A4ETtj99ghqUbaDXF9lBP8Ttyluj5-nXz/s1600/DSCN2561.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_2236" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Sister hunt and I on exchange :)</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_2236" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_2236">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and it was so much fun as we
celebrated our 17th month mark on a mission! We reflected on how far we
have come together, and how great being a missionary is! I'm so glad
that we have always had each other, from day one on this amazing
journey! I also got the chance to do mini-exchanges with Sister Leavit
and Sister Sink, who go home this week! We got to talk, and I loved
spending a little bit of time with both of those special sisters. It was
WAY interesting to spend a night with 3 of my former/current companions
all at once. We had a lot of fun! :) I also got to spend a little bit
of time with Sister Carr, who I knew in Odessa. And of course with
Sister Larcabal. We continued to bond this week, relishing our last days
together. Sister Larcabal and I have had a LOT of adventures together,
so learning last week that she wouldn't be my companion anymore was
kinda sad. But I'm excited for new moments to come.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzz1ICr466Fcifj-MuRukiFKfdoo7WlPU7GIVJE2d_ee6tyKUPeK-ESQb3iCTfNrpF9XNYZa3ORtsbWmn-wUjv1gVBS6cAqL2yVewDkmI3C2eqH6Uq0YJx5txpsvM1B6cOrYTSXTyyyRX/s1600/DSCN2551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzz1ICr466Fcifj-MuRukiFKfdoo7WlPU7GIVJE2d_ee6tyKUPeK-ESQb3iCTfNrpF9XNYZa3ORtsbWmn-wUjv1gVBS6cAqL2yVewDkmI3C2eqH6Uq0YJx5txpsvM1B6cOrYTSXTyyyRX/s1600/DSCN2551.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">game night :) </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsQdCz7fDuA-rdr9I_cqMVsL8hrXyb68Du4sAil373pYF9_PLbD29W5w_0AWnK9kS881X1gis_Qy_ANQoOUsP5330mYDlmoQNzZfD30v3lSlWlygcQAHu5CYtqVIUhIolJ0QMOHfIJ9CW/s1600/DSCN2564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsQdCz7fDuA-rdr9I_cqMVsL8hrXyb68Du4sAil373pYF9_PLbD29W5w_0AWnK9kS881X1gis_Qy_ANQoOUsP5330mYDlmoQNzZfD30v3lSlWlygcQAHu5CYtqVIUhIolJ0QMOHfIJ9CW/s1600/DSCN2564.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3030" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"attitude" at game night. </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3030" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3031">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
found out that I will be serving with Sister Batalova next transfer,
here in Brovary! Woo-hoo! With a native from Russia! I can't believe it.
I've always wanted to serve with a native, and she is super cute! i
think we will have a lot of fun together! :) and I am so excited to stay
here in Brovary and finish my mission here! I love the people here and
doing missionary work in Brovary is the best! Our investigators are
still doing well, I didn't get a chance to meet with many of them this
week, we had some unforeseen things pop up, but we have been able to
talk with them on the phone. Because Sister Larcabal is going to Kyiv to
serve, we were able to set up to meet with Oksana this week! YAY! I
can't wait to see her! :) She is still so sad that she can't come to
church or see us anymore, but we are just so excited to see her during
her lunch break :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4J262sSbzUEsswk2j-L89SVVt5zDjJ2QJgp312ZcGawt_QIctL4pDC8ZsU0gXS8bmik3BDBEwjfS7bTPA6fzaNlEr7HODfoOwNIoLX9OFzrkBdOpN1Jg_pd0JyfHspj4ApQ47zDqdj51/s1600/DSCN2556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4J262sSbzUEsswk2j-L89SVVt5zDjJ2QJgp312ZcGawt_QIctL4pDC8ZsU0gXS8bmik3BDBEwjfS7bTPA6fzaNlEr7HODfoOwNIoLX9OFzrkBdOpN1Jg_pd0JyfHspj4ApQ47zDqdj51/s1600/DSCN2556.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Celebrating with ice cream </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHz2khaTYkvKUavc4GTnjMS890bfP1KqA4-oMLSQIhCAbNxas58kpF8xmjtsKXAjWa6bSN4dorTkDSNuC1EZ-ggedWmYB7IAMP25ouFjUhVaUJXrPdHbHxmVrFxS1Ju1LnEj69LXB5T8gs/s1600/DSCN2551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHz2khaTYkvKUavc4GTnjMS890bfP1KqA4-oMLSQIhCAbNxas58kpF8xmjtsKXAjWa6bSN4dorTkDSNuC1EZ-ggedWmYB7IAMP25ouFjUhVaUJXrPdHbHxmVrFxS1Ju1LnEj69LXB5T8gs/s1600/DSCN2551.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Birthday party for Sister Clark, </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">can you even see me? </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3032">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love the
feeling that I get from time to time, confirming that the Lord leads
this work and that he is preparing people for the gospel. I got that
feeling several times this week. One moment was when I got on a bus,
heading into Kyiv. I sat down next to this man, and noticed that he was
reading the Bible. THE BIBLE! who reads the bible on the bus? So I asked
him, "Do you like to read the Bible?" (great opening line, I know? haha
like anyone would read the Bible on the bus if they didn't like it).
and so of course he answered yes. So I asked him what church he was part
of, and he told me that he had looked around a lot, but had never found
the true church. And so, I took that opportunity to teach about the
restoration and the Book of Mormon. He was so excited and eagerly
accepted the Book of Mormon and the invitation to learn more and meet to
take the missionary lessons. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3058">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3033">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We
talked the whole bus ride into Kyiv (like 30 minutes) and he was just
full of perfect questions. In Preach My Gospel, there is a section
called "Questions of the Soul" that teaches where to find answers in the
Book of Mormon to questions of the Soul and at that moment, Dima
(that's his name) was pretty much asking questions straight off that
list. It was so fun to testify that the Book of Mormon could answer his
questions-- because it can! If you read the Book of Mormon with a
prayerful heart, it will answer almost any question that you have! I
love the Book of Mormon! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3034">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3035">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
love being a missionary, especially in unplanned teaching moments,
where you don't have anything prepared, so you just have to rely on the
Spirit. I love those moments, because you feel the Spirit so strongly,
and He helps you know what to say and how to say it and helps you
remember the Russian words that you need. It is so AWESOME :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3057">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3036">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
feel like I have already said it about 20 times in this email but I
LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! I love sharing the gospel. I am savoring every
day that I have left, because I know that these moments are special. The
gospel is true! Christ lives and He loves us! He and Heavenly Father
have a perfect plan for us! They want what is best! Through the
Atonement, we receive comfort during hard times and they will never
forsake us! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3037">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3056">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's a great message to share, and I feel so blessed that I have been called to share it here in Ukraine! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3055">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3038">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love you all!</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3054">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409612320903_3053">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-4835633236801790412014-08-25T14:53:00.000-07:002014-08-25T14:53:10.895-07:00This week was Great!!<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2439">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2275">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
week was GREAT! I can't believe how fast the time is flying by! I feel
like I just wrote yesterday but yet it is another whole week gone by. I
feel like it is all going by like a dream! And this up coming week is
sure to fly by quickly too, I have an exchange this week with SISTER
HUNT! woo-hoo! So that should be fun. We also will find out TRANSFO, and
I will know where I will be for my LAST transfer. Scary. Although I
think I will stay here in Brovary. And then next week is transfers and I
will start my last transfer. I just can't believe how the days are
passing like minutes. Not fair. This wednesday is my 17 month mark as a
missionary, which is so crazy to me! Can you believe that I have been
doing missionary work for the past 17 months!!! Wow!</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2275">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTviyAcZAIz4GGmzwVfK3DMlS8aRS1Py9Ni-_zYj0HsCq7J1Dw1iJJAYp-svVunkKrLFRDKJFLFejbBtXXsxzw2l2puijaxWfHVnq-96sIm-2ObxYyWAGWZdsShhKbFKXIIj22vRDq5tsj/s1600/DSCN0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTviyAcZAIz4GGmzwVfK3DMlS8aRS1Py9Ni-_zYj0HsCq7J1Dw1iJJAYp-svVunkKrLFRDKJFLFejbBtXXsxzw2l2puijaxWfHVnq-96sIm-2ObxYyWAGWZdsShhKbFKXIIj22vRDq5tsj/s1600/DSCN0506.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">cards</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHN0KP79QbqqQubf16FU55eM52min5cqOZjFp8-_uVDUpuiBzn_VBYmiuRNOS8WnpLXKaGNrux-kr-RSsL7dUtB6wczMFOCTpz8hGT8j3IZbpSYJSGRciN4a47m4f6XNCVebvWcVQXi8Mm/s1600/DSCN0510.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2015">
<div class="body undoreset" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_8684" role="gridcell" style="text-align: center;" tabindex="0">
<div id="yiv8104847479">
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_8683">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">also, we had a ping pong tourney this week. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_8683">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was so bad at ping pong, </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_8683">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">but then I CREAMED in cards :) </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_8683">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2501">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
week, we went to the Clarks to do some service, and while there, we
shared a spiritual thought that has seemed to be a theme for my week. We
started our spiritual thought by playing a game of telephone, you know,
where you say a sentence in someones ear and pass it on and on around
the whole circle. I must admit that I thought that it would be more
scrambled at the end then it actually was, they did a really good job,
especially for a part Ukrainian/part American family and a bunch of
missionaries But it wasn't exactly what I had said at the beginning. And
we talked about how it was hard to hear the whisper in your ear when
others were talking. </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2501">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEyFsUylvbWWU_uqgqGOpbpydOzaI7Jy9-F9VqthCUH5_pIylajkllY05CSnkYWCaldgIFDtJXTOltXjFxkNV2fQnOB662fJqXee2E5qwLddm-0IWE0UUielY2o0l8IA0CEiw9qAX6RTX/s1600/DSCN0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEyFsUylvbWWU_uqgqGOpbpydOzaI7Jy9-F9VqthCUH5_pIylajkllY05CSnkYWCaldgIFDtJXTOltXjFxkNV2fQnOB662fJqXee2E5qwLddm-0IWE0UUielY2o0l8IA0CEiw9qAX6RTX/s1600/DSCN0496.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2501" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> playing telephone</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2501" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2501">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then we compared the whisper in our ears with the
Holy Ghost and talked about how it is hard to hear the still small
whisperings of the Holy Ghost. And we shared a scripture from 1st Kings,
"And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the
mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord
was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was
not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was
not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice" (1st Kings
19:11-12). We shared how in our lives, the whisperings of the Spirit
won't be loud and big, but will be a still small voice. We also shared a
quote from Preach My Gospel, which said, "The Spirit is always
available to guide and direct you. However, the Spirit speaks quietly,
through your feelings as well as your mind. One great challenge for you
and those you work with is the recognize the quite, subtle prompting of
the Holy Ghost". The Spiritual Thought went really well as Brother and
Sister Clark both shared some experiences where the Lord has spoken to
them through the Holy Ghost. </span></span>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2502">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2503">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So
if I had to pick a theme for this week, it would be the importance and
blessings that come from recognizing and understanding how the Spirit
works in our life. As a missionary, I can only do work if I work with
the Spirit. Joseph Smith taught that "No man can preach the gospel
without the Holy Ghost". And that's true. Doing missionary work would
never work without the Spirit. Preach My Gospel also promises that we
will "succeed in [our] work as [we] learn to receive and follow personal
revelation". That is something that I have really learned a lot this
last week. For a couple months now, there has been a problem that I have
been trying to figure out. Nothing bad, just something that I have been
thinking about a lot. As I have prayed to know what to do and what
choice I should make, I have been unable to receive a clear answer. This
last week, as I was studying, I decided that instead of praying for an
answer on the specific question, I would instead pray to better learn
how God speaks to me through the Holy Ghost. As a result of that prayer,
I feel like I have learned so much more about how the Spirit speaks to
me. He has guided me so much in my work this week and I have seen
miracles come from following those promptings that He sends. I feel like
Heavenly Father in more ways than one, has dumped revelation down on
me! I can share a few experiences from this week that illustrate how the
together with the Spirit, miracles can happen! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2504">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2505">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So
this week, we were waiting for a bus to go stop by a member. As we
waited for our bus (the 9), the 404 came, which would take us close to
the member's house, but require more walking. As the 404 came, I felt a
prompting to take it instead. So we got on the bus and were riding it,
then got off to walk the rest of the ways to that member's house. As we
were walking, we saw another member, a old grandma that is sometimes
grumpy. I've never been able to meet with her, so when we saw her on the
street in the distance, we ran to go say hello. She told us how happy
she was to see us, and even though we only talked to her for like 5
minutes and didn't do much, we were able to brighten her day. I know
that the Spirit prompted us to take that bus for that reason, to see her
and strengthen our relationship with her! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_FOjTlFVh7CDX3p7q038VYA48ZGbzDRd4Uoa93YHvDUW19c8S4dXpQG3D0q6S9gq27ePc0_TcS7E1oMZzf0nIy1ujXnR2wRFmVXjfvgdJ49G1ITZWSwSnFYCzqEuuUJBnTt9Qlp2MlsR/s1600/DSCN0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_FOjTlFVh7CDX3p7q038VYA48ZGbzDRd4Uoa93YHvDUW19c8S4dXpQG3D0q6S9gq27ePc0_TcS7E1oMZzf0nIy1ujXnR2wRFmVXjfvgdJ49G1ITZWSwSnFYCzqEuuUJBnTt9Qlp2MlsR/s1600/DSCN0490.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A pigeon pooped on my head this week... opa! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_FOjTlFVh7CDX3p7q038VYA48ZGbzDRd4Uoa93YHvDUW19c8S4dXpQG3D0q6S9gq27ePc0_TcS7E1oMZzf0nIy1ujXnR2wRFmVXjfvgdJ49G1ITZWSwSnFYCzqEuuUJBnTt9Qlp2MlsR/s1600/DSCN0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_FOjTlFVh7CDX3p7q038VYA48ZGbzDRd4Uoa93YHvDUW19c8S4dXpQG3D0q6S9gq27ePc0_TcS7E1oMZzf0nIy1ujXnR2wRFmVXjfvgdJ49G1ITZWSwSnFYCzqEuuUJBnTt9Qlp2MlsR/s1600/DSCN0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TEYenO655jM_IsX4MBtjF78JZzk-2531DCVXWiFKSe73KPrSHyHAAOPbx6YvLg1uMOQWTP0yhR5UCNMPGaH3YmsLjqF1lLy_xW21cPanXNWyayxvTLtmp-QOPIupLS8S3IvIjm_2a1Id/s1600/DSCN0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TEYenO655jM_IsX4MBtjF78JZzk-2531DCVXWiFKSe73KPrSHyHAAOPbx6YvLg1uMOQWTP0yhR5UCNMPGaH3YmsLjqF1lLy_xW21cPanXNWyayxvTLtmp-QOPIupLS8S3IvIjm_2a1Id/s1600/DSCN0492.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">bird poop</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2506">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2506">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another example
was when we decided what members to visit. We felt to visit a lady and
give her a Thank you card. So we left it on her door with some banana
bread. That was all that we did. Yesterday at church, she came up and
told her how much that card and the bread had strengthened her and
helped her. When she was sick, she read the card, when she got home
late, she was able to spend time with her husband (who is not a member)
drinking tea and eating banana bread and it was relaxing and happy. So
that was cool. Another day, we felt to stop by a member and sing a hymn
for her. We went by and sang 'i am a child of god' for her. She cried
and cried and talked about how she so strongly needed that at that very
minute. It was so special to be an answer to a prayer. I know that the
Spirit prompted us to know how to best help these ladies in our ward! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another example was on a lesson with Sergey, our new
investigator. He is one of the first people that I have taught on my
mission that doesn't know whether or not God lives. It has been really
interesting teaching him and helping him. It has been so cool to see him
experience the Spirit for the first times. He doesn't really know how
to describe how he is feeling and he doesn't always recognize it, but I
can see that the Spirit is touching his heart. In our Gospel Principles
class yesterday, we ended our lesson with a Mormon Message about a blind
kid that is a piano prodigy, after our lessons about talents and how
God gives us talents because He loves us and so that we can help other
people. The Spirit was so strong after that lesson, and I went up to
Sergey and asked how he was doing and what he thought of church and he
went off about how everything was, "so cool". He was almost literally
filled with light and he was so happy. I realized that he was feeling
the Spirit and being filled with the light of Christ. It is miraculous
to see someone change as a result of hearing about the gospel! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2507">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But at one point this week, we
had a lesson with him. At first, the lesson wasn't going very well, not
bad just not the super spiritual lesson that we wanted. Partway
through, he received an important phone call and had to leave to answer
it. Sister Larcabal and I took that moment to say a prayer, pleading for
the Spirit to guide us. When he came back and we taught again, it was
as though we were teaching a completely different lesson. The Spirit was
SO strong and it was SO cool! It was so fun to follow the Spirit,
especially when it leads a different way than what you expect! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2508">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2509">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One
last example was when Sister Larcabal and I had a few minutes to be on
the street talking to people. We said a prayer before we left to be
guided by the Holy Ghost, then went out and on our way. As we walked
down the street, I saw a lady selling watermelons on the other side of
the road, and I felt like we needed to go talk to her. At first I
justified that thought and decided that we would talk to her on the way
back, when we were on the other side of the street. But then the spirit
said, "go now", so we did. It was seriously the MOST AWKWARD
conversation ever! The lady asked if we wanted a watermelon and I told
her that we didn't have money and she was like, "my watermelons aren't
free, girl." and so I asked her about her watermelons and she just
didn't want to talk. So we left and walked back down the street. It
wasn't quite the conversation that I had in mind after that big
prompting. So then we were heading back to the church, when we say this
lady up in the distance. We head over to her and start talking and end
up inviting her to english. She is so interested that she shows up THAT
VERY NIGHT, loves english and is into the spiritual thought! Isn't the
way of the Lord so interesting? He knew that if we kept going on the
path that we had started on, we would've never ran into that lady, so he
gave me a prompting to turn us around, thus putting her right in our
(new) path. So cool! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2524">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2523">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So
I learned so much about personal revelation this week! there really is
no limit on the personal revelation that you can receive to guide your
life! And although I didn't immediately receive an answer to my
problem, I learned more about how God speaks to me individually, which
prepared me for the quiet moment when he answered the question that I
had for a long time. Because I had learned how to recognize revelation
better, when that answer came, I couldn't deny it, and I knew that it
was His answer to me. Personal Revelation is SO COOL! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2522">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2521">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love being a missionary and I love being guided by the Spirit! The church is SO TRUE! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2520">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep on being fantastic :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2519">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I LOVE YOU ALL! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2518">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409002237098_2517">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-12680479170421036172014-08-18T09:28:00.000-07:002014-08-18T09:28:24.930-07:00 Roller Coasters!<span class="more_recp" data-action="more" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4315" role="button" tabindex="0"></span> <span class="loader" role="presentation"></span> <br />
<div class="thread-body" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4178" role="presentation">
<div class="body undoreset" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4317" role="gridcell" tabindex="0">
<div id="yiv8858814465">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4320">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4323">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4324">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This week was CRAZY! I can't believe all that happened. Seriously. So much. Like a roller coaster.</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4325">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not even sure where to begin writing about this! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JOhfrpQ9m4nCtlbPX_Asdf_xvhLK62ZfMuJ3M5wPzZhb6TTv6bYF7PHfkIY4nUiziwGqPjy8oRK3YZrzwQBhssrvVYNHjyVtMuxm5n5dMr9USMbyiLbOLxhdw4c6KkKKoedu-E-Xtkfc/s1600/DSCN2537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JOhfrpQ9m4nCtlbPX_Asdf_xvhLK62ZfMuJ3M5wPzZhb6TTv6bYF7PHfkIY4nUiziwGqPjy8oRK3YZrzwQBhssrvVYNHjyVtMuxm5n5dMr9USMbyiLbOLxhdw4c6KkKKoedu-E-Xtkfc/s1600/DSCN2537.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4326">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pretty sunset view out our window last night</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4327">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First
of all, it started cooling down already and according to the members,
summer has ended. Sister Larcabal and I looked around outside this
morning, I think it is true. The leaves are all changing colors and
falling off the trees already. WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN???? I thought it was
still like May, maybe June. Time is passing so fast! Maybe it will snow
soon? Haha probably not yet... </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4328">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4329">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So
much happened this week, but when I look back, it feels like I emailed
home like yesterday or the day before. I have to keep reminding myself
that I didn't already write about these things. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4330">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4331">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also,
I got sick again. I think it was because of the change in the weather? I
don't actually know, but the elders sent me home to rest yesterday, and
that helped a lot. It's just been like the flu or something. It's
getting better though. Everyone has their advice for me. Haha it's so
funny. I promise that I don't get sick that often, but I think that our
recent converts think that I'm bouncing in and out of the hospital. They
were so concerned. haha its cute. Also, If I got a dollar for everytime
someone told Sister Laracal to tell me to "Stop being sick", I think
Sister Larcabal and I would both be rich. We could buy a boat. or
something else fun like that. Like I can just choose to stop being
sick... it's not that easy, folks! But now that I'm actually feeling
better, I'm so excited to work and work again! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4332">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This week, we had some crazy cool miracles, but also some crazy sad things happen. </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4333">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4334">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do
you remember Oksana? We met with her this week to talk about the Plan
of Salvation. It was probably one of the most beautiful lessons that I
have ever had. We started our by singing "I am a child of God", and it
just set the tone for the whole lesson. We testified and shared
scriptures and our member was AMAZING. But the coolest part wasn't the
lesson or us at all. It was seeing the Spirit work with Oksana. The Plan
of Salvation was an answer to her, and it was so clearly obvious to her
that it was the truth and the way that it was. She kept saying things
like, "I always knew it was that way, It is the only way that makes
sense... Oh course this is true, and true for everyone".</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4335">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> At one moment, we asked
her,"Oksana, did you pray and ask God if our message is true? If the
Book of Mormon is true?" and she said,"Yes, I prayed". And we asked,
"Did you receive an answer?" "Yes, I received an answer" she answered.
"Well, what answer did you receive?" And she answered, "It's true. and
peaceful." And our member bore testimony of the peace that the gospel,
especially that comes through the Atonement. It was perfect because
right after she bore testimony of the Atonement, We were able to ask,
"Oksana, Will you follow Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding
the priesthood authority of God?" The Spirit was so strong and it was
such a perfect moment. She said that she wanted to be baptized, but her
concern was that her parents would be against it. But she wanted to be
baptized, so she decided that she would talk to her parents about it
all. </span></span>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4341">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I felt the Spirit during
that lesson so strong, it being maybe one of the strongest moments on
my mission. It was so incredible. Sister Larcabal and I were amazed at
the change that was taking place in Oksana. She was repenting, she was
coming closer to Christ, she was feeling the Spirit, she wanted to
change and be more like the Savior. It was incredible to see that change
in her, and to be a firsthand witness of the power of the Atonement and
the Gospel in someones life. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmhe95t5pIKS4PZydnuIuzac3D62gGEdQbCz9e2z8ViXk6Cy_8RgvpNusZ8aUgMsxR0EfVIGvdnnh_cK8bhKB0Xv0Hc0i26r9pnJYW-LGWuutwYjVcEFv778WZ82Jq_2e1ifv39aZ6ipO/s1600/DSCN2524.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last Pday in Kyiv </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2RRrc9O97ugQ7No_n-1pj5qmRTFpPgJlRyVzIVmQ6F5U6zHcmJoE_WHVzBjwn2J6KJKpg5GNvXa3-Lgmo9SxcOuVN5OrCvKInxM2CYtviQYLRs5YdV7WTV5BLQoAflydvHK3k9mhZyq_/s1600/DSCN2523.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">melted chocolate in a cup...it was divine :)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But... I said that some crazy sad things happened this week...</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4337">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saturday
night, we got a call from Oksana. She told us that she had talked to
her parents. Not only were they against her getting baptized, but they
forbade her from ever coming back to the church, even for english
practice. She isn't even really allowed to ever see us again. It was
heartbreaking. She wants this so bad, but her parents threatened her
that they would take away everything if she goes against them. I
couldn't help but cry as I told her that the Lord was a Lord of
miracles, and that we would continue to pray for her everyday. She
promised to continue to read the Book of Mormon and said that maybe
within a few weeks, her parents wouldn't be as strict. But its so sad to
see someone that I love so much, come so close, and then be kept away.
But I'm sure the Lord is still working with her, and one day she will be
able to be baptized and receive all the blessings that she so desires. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wO52BFZfaOI_s6OBWmfpEG4-Y-1queyeFHOqHiQJJyLG31vYfOvXMhmg6ObZ_fGDFPoG3FFhYqm1GXIyMfdl96Z-mDH6GMTLpVdeDQpjVJ_vqcOLAlasCzO3I1KED8h-WDJQxDQ2uOqX/s1600/DSCN2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wO52BFZfaOI_s6OBWmfpEG4-Y-1queyeFHOqHiQJJyLG31vYfOvXMhmg6ObZ_fGDFPoG3FFhYqm1GXIyMfdl96Z-mDH6GMTLpVdeDQpjVJ_vqcOLAlasCzO3I1KED8h-WDJQxDQ2uOqX/s1600/DSCN2528.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4339">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Game night! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4340">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So
that was the first said thing. That same night, when we called our
other investigator from Africa, Julianna, we also got some bad news. But
let me first tell you about her. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4357">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
We finally were able to meet with Julianna this week! She is incredible!
She is so great! She is here in Kyiv, working for a month, before she
goes back to study in Kharkiv. This normally wouldn't be a problem, we
would just teach her and then pass her to the missionaries there and
they would keep working with her there. However, Kharkiv is one of the
areas in our mission that is closed for missionary work right now
because of the war, so there are no missionaries there. So this is
really her chance to hear the gospel, and to be taught by english
speaking full time missionaries. It is like this perfect miracle that
she is here. But Satan is working so hard to keep her from the gospel!
She is working in Kyiv and is at work or traveling to and from work,
basically every minute. She can usually only meet at like 8:45 at night,
which is a slight problem, because as missionaries, we have to be home
at 9:30 at the latest. Sister Larcabal and I talked about it and decided
that teaching her was really important to us. How important? So
important that after our lessons, we would run home to make it on time.
Great way to use my talents, right?!?! The lessons that we have had are
so full of the Spirit and she is so intent on reading the Book of Mormon
and receiving an answer. She is amazing. Plus we just LOVE her so much
and she loves us. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4356">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4355">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So
imagine how sad we were, when Saturday night, right after Oksana
called, we got a call from Julianna, saying that something had come up
and she was leaving for Kharkiv right away. No time to say goodbye. Oh
we were so sad. On our way home, we bought ice cream and chocolate and
ate it all. That's how sad we were. And we just cried. Both of our
miracles were gone, so sad. Although we knew that Julianna could still
find the church in Kharkiv and that the members could help her, we felt
like she had been snatched away from us.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4354">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4353">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So
yeah... that was pretty darn sad. BUT, imagine this. It's now Sunday
afternoon. Sister Ford is sick and is in bed, resting. The phone rings,
one of the Elders from our area is calling. Sister Larcabal answers the
phone, it isn't one of the elders at all, IT'S JULIANNA! Turns out that
she HADN'T gone to Kharkiv, she was still here! And she still can met,
and actually has more time then before, so she doesn't have to meet
quite so late! Sister Larcabal was so surprised, she almost fell over!
When we got off the phone, both of us where so happy that we were
screaming for joy. Ok...only sister Laracabal was screaming for joy...
but it was a LOT OF JOY! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4352">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4344">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So
that was a lot of emotions in one little bit, but it was a great
reminder to me that the Lord is watching out for all of us! It is HIS
work that we are doing here. I know that no matter what happens with
either Julianna or Oksana, the Lord is watching out for them! His plan
for them is better then anything I can think up myself! He is letting me
be an instrument in His hands, and although sometimes, he may call for a
different note than I want, or he may call for a different tempo, he
knows exactly what THEY need and when the song is complete, we will all
see perfectly how He knew what was going to happen all along! I feel so
blessed for the opportunity to see Him working with Julianna and Oksana,
and I know that even when it seems hopeless from our point of view, he
knows exactly how it will all turn out. And it will all turn out
beautifully! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4345">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4351">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love being a missionary! I love being an instrument in the Hands of the Lord! There is no better place to be! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4350">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pray for Ukraine! Pray for Oksana and Julianna! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4346">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4347">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love you all! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408378156227_4348">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-65296975368722613482014-08-12T20:24:00.002-07:002014-08-12T20:24:40.409-07:00500 DAYS ON THE MISSION<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_3811">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_3812">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That
subject line sounds a little bit better when translated into Russian,
but it works in English too. Today, if I have counted right, marks 500
days on a mission! WOW! I can't believe that! It doesn't even seem like
that long! Sister Larcabal and I tried to think of what we could do to
celebrate, or what we could eat 500 of to celebrate... but we didn't
think of anything that would be possible to eat 500 of. Oh well! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4544">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4545">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So
yesterday in Relief Society, I was asked to give the Spiritual Thought.
I thought back to a verse in the Book of Mormon that I had read a few
weeks before, which says, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4546">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"For
behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and
this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men
to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory." (Alma
13:24). </span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4547">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4548">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I told the ladies in
Relief Society that when I had first read that verse a couple weeks
earlier, I had decided that I would pray to know and see that the Lord
was preparing the hearts of the people here in Ukraine, in Kyiv, and in
Brovary! Then I was able to share with them a few examples of how God
has been preparing people here through his angels! It was so fun to
share with them how the Lord has been preparing people all around us! I
have everyday seen how God is preparing people to receive the Gospel at
this time, especially here in Ukraine. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For example: </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4549">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4550">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
last week, I was waiting for the bus, when a lady came and and sat down
next to me. I started a conversation up with her, and before long she
was looking through my family pictures. As I shared with her how the
gospel had blessed my family, she saw that I was holding a Book of
Mormon. She was like "I have that book!" It was so cool to see how she
had met missionaries before and was now still being prepared to meet
with us now. Unfortunately, her bus came before I got her number, but
I'm sure we will see her again on the street, Brovary is pretty small! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4551">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXaVNYc6ovrxz7HVkbZ4Eef2WJPIr1MxrKzeBbDw_mw5V95pGYzuYHpjPmepiMtpbxlXLcjcSXTJINdu8pNPc3ztB501YpON1mwUMt9COs0KtD0177cL4ZwZDwC89dTK3oNGA61IFWPXc/s1600/DSCN2512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4551">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4551">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4551">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet again, we
were on the street. We were running so late for district meeting. We
briskly walked by this old lady. I saw out of the corner of my eye that
she watched us walk by and had stopped. Although we were running late, I
turned around and talked to her. Turns out that as we had walked by,
she had seen Jesus Christ written on our name tags and had wanted to know
more. As we told her a little bit about our message, she started
crying, talking about how things in Ukraine and so hard and scary. God
had prepared her to receive our message of joy! She agreed to meet again
and learn more about God's plan and how he has a special plan for her
and everyone in Ukraine! </span></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4552">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We've been
taking a lot of buses lately, I guess. Yesterday on the way to the
church, We were on a bus. I sat next to a lady and noticed that she was
in a dress. So I asked her if she was going to church. She said no. And I
responded, "well...you should!" and she laughed and we started to have a
really good conversation. She shared how many years ago, she had helped
repaint our church building here in Brovary. I asked her if she had
ever been to our church services, and she said no. I asked her why and
she said that she didn't really want to then. I asked her if she would
be interested now, and she said yes! So that was special! She goes out
of town this week, but will be back in the end of August! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4553">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, this
week, I was on an exchange in Kyiv (first time I have ever been in Kyiv
for more than a few hours..which is funny, because it is the name of the
mission). But we had an opportunity to meet with a little girl named
Eva. She is from a city in Eastern Ukraine, and evacuated here with her
family. Her aunt and older brother are members of the church, but her
mom is not and until recently, her mom refused to let her met with the
missionaries, saying that she is too young. But when the family
evacuated here, her mom was able to closely interact with a lot of
members of the church. They are living in the apartment of one of the
members in Kyiv, the members bring them clothes and food and are helping
them with everything. So the Mom's heart was prepared and she is
allowing Eva to take the lessons. She was the cutest little girl and
literally knows everything about the church already and has a testimony!
Cute! We taught her about tithing, and did an object lesson where we
poured blessings (In the form of candy) down from the windows of heaven!
It was fun :) She loved it! :) She is a doll! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39-ArU5ck6-wQjdhRJ544a6KN-_PgPTFkXQV8DfuSF4OFxEppAdy23BEekPhS-4rYZwbMgoqSjDi6Rx2ReDh0OL_Lle41_xFrPyH3CzmvSgLBFmKHPG5N58TIVsp_ZBds2xS-WuqYAKhJ/s1600/DSCN2488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39-ArU5ck6-wQjdhRJ544a6KN-_PgPTFkXQV8DfuSF4OFxEppAdy23BEekPhS-4rYZwbMgoqSjDi6Rx2ReDh0OL_Lle41_xFrPyH3CzmvSgLBFmKHPG5N58TIVsp_ZBds2xS-WuqYAKhJ/s1600/DSCN2488.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Sister Pugh and Lena our member friend</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBEqLErCaZtI_mVbiUe7Ij3XnNB7IQAulVXBJZhhPaUgXRVe4gHyuZxA4aDwmfVg1pTKa8uBqN9x0CKtOEl_VKdYiSDd8CjZJHyhWayefYoBWmZruoCPx8RWbXitpkGn8UgsNvklmDNjf/s1600/DSCN2485.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eva and I making bracelets</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4554">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4554">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See how the
Lord is preparing people here in Ukraine! It is so fun to be a
missionary now, here! We get to have so many fun moments on missions.
For example, this week, we had a Birthday Party, at which Sister
Larcabal and I played together (her on the piano, I was on the violin)
to the star wars theme and a couple other songs. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXaVNYc6ovrxz7HVkbZ4Eef2WJPIr1MxrKzeBbDw_mw5V95pGYzuYHpjPmepiMtpbxlXLcjcSXTJINdu8pNPc3ztB501YpON1mwUMt9COs0KtD0177cL4ZwZDwC89dTK3oNGA61IFWPXc/s1600/DSCN2512.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4554">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_6473" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Birthday Dallas! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_6472">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4554">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> We impressed all the 10
year old boys there. Or for example, when we were on the street and in
the space of an hour, we received tomatoes, pears, and bread all for
free from people on the street. Or for example, when we helped a grandma
in our ward learn to index and she asked if we could get permission
from the mission president for a sleepover....hmm.. probably not but it
was a sweet offer :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4555">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4573">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See!
So fun to be a missionary! I love it! It is so easy to see how the
Lord is blessing the people here and helping them prepare to learn more
about the Savior! :) I love being a missionary! It is so fun! :)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4556">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4574">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I LOVE YOU ALL! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4575">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407899016101_4557">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-28927016872791130402014-08-04T15:59:00.000-07:002014-08-04T15:59:34.596-07:00 "Lodi Hills" <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2545">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2546">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">HAPPY
AUGUST! It seems to me like it should still be May, but somehow time
just keeps passing on and on. This week it started to feel like summer.
It was HOT! People keep telling me the temperature in Celsius but I
never know what the temperature actually is, so I just act like it is
the hottest temperature that I have ever heard of... haha. But really
though...it's HOT! I was told though that it will only be this hot for
10 more days, then fall will come! Which is my favorite season :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJI8sPgpVpDVbeEKsd2ACcRZN7pq_xj2igy61X-dkcWrtWigmVmRu1uoB46DKzR7nmjgej83gF1HqGTqEVsvf2pmHu41Kb9VPEPEl2WTzHrPTfpS3kHAp6YSWkVTP5twWL5n8_YIcsIsoi/s1600/DSCN2443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJI8sPgpVpDVbeEKsd2ACcRZN7pq_xj2igy61X-dkcWrtWigmVmRu1uoB46DKzR7nmjgej83gF1HqGTqEVsvf2pmHu41Kb9VPEPEl2WTzHrPTfpS3kHAp6YSWkVTP5twWL5n8_YIcsIsoi/s1600/DSCN2443.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">We rock the babooshka scarfs :)</span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfTmrRGe7SFP6vwIR0C5YPzehvDjWaL-FvHFJx-ouCjwf4R9vkZd4T_aObMgKSZ4-8ytBgNj7r90le81vQ2wpIb_X2eeYPm88RWlH-_XQIjQx_4KMTsb_dMzWKt0GdnmHEqtOQGNprRgw/s1600/DSCN2447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfTmrRGe7SFP6vwIR0C5YPzehvDjWaL-FvHFJx-ouCjwf4R9vkZd4T_aObMgKSZ4-8ytBgNj7r90le81vQ2wpIb_X2eeYPm88RWlH-_XQIjQx_4KMTsb_dMzWKt0GdnmHEqtOQGNprRgw/s1600/DSCN2447.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Mother motherland, we just happened to </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">run into some other sisters there! COOL :)</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2547">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2548">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The
other day, I was thinking about running, and I remembered the Lodi
Cross Country Course. That I ran in 8th grade, I think. The race where
the first mile was all in the forest and then came out to A HUGE HILL!
And I remember in my 8th grade mind, thinking that there was no bigger
hill in the world. And right after that hill was a downhill into the
finish. I remember when I ran that race, many of the participants, when
they got to that hill, started to walk. When I got to that hill, I was
determined to run up it. But it was hard! At some points, I felt like I
was running in place. I just wanted to stop and be done. But I also
remember that feeling as I made it to the top of that hill, and on the
other side was the downhill headed right to the finish line. As I made
it to the top and over the hill, I was able to sprint into the finish
line. I don't remember the time that I ran at that race. I don't
remember what place I finished. But I do remember that feeling of
accomplishment as I made it over that hill! Even now, I get a little
proud when I think of how I conquered the "Lodi hill". </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhvNMr6n8scT_opWutjL6vllfDekwaR-vExudsvof87_gZ79U6HHbYtYDos2AXdkaZIY-wRhwTfHdfu2yPtQKbJjvD9imaMWqFVnpxWZZfUXCJKJEqDhV0-8dXGs3S4ldwQMe1kRVSzCN/s1600/DSCN2412.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">We went sight-seeing in kyiv last </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">week, this is a famine memorial</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpy0Js-qj-VBfhbjyUAVp0AF6OVqigfpd6WyctwIG3SxTrqKIIW8Mo93dHfBsUm86jiSYWBbDnib3p3zp_iPrRwEHEDVByQDp2IJAU0XFU95WoNQ8wYaEqqjkGCJtF4_gCMnfJO32vO8qw/s1600/DSCN2457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpy0Js-qj-VBfhbjyUAVp0AF6OVqigfpd6WyctwIG3SxTrqKIIW8Mo93dHfBsUm86jiSYWBbDnib3p3zp_iPrRwEHEDVByQDp2IJAU0XFU95WoNQ8wYaEqqjkGCJtF4_gCMnfJO32vO8qw/s1600/DSCN2457.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2549" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">our lovely tour guide, Alina :) A recent convert from Kyiv</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2549" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2550">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I
think in life, we have lots of "Lodi Hills". The entire journey home to
our Heavenly Father is probably full of hills, some small and some
large. As we "run" through this earthly journey, sometimes we hit these
hills, and things are hard, and we want to stop or at least walk. Maybe
we even want to lay down and roll back down to where we were earlier. So
often, we get stuck thinking that we will never make it up, that it is
impossible to climb this hill. But these hills are possible to climb! We
will make it up them! And I think so often, we fail to consider what
happens at the top of the hill. Every time we run up and over a hill,
there is a moment where we are basically flying and we skip down the
downhill, sometimes going so fast that we can barely stay standing. At
those times, we wonder how we were ever going so slow just moments
before. We wonder and ask ourselves how that up hill could've been that
hard. Those moments of going so fast are the moments that keep us going
the next time that we go up a hard hill. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2551">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I would say in
my missionary life, I have been climbing one of those "Lodi hills". But
this past week, I finally made it to the top, and I feel like I am now
cruising down the other side, with things happening so fast I can barely
keep up and miracles happening in every direction! These times when we
head down are the times where we exclaim, "This is missionary fun!"
(Just imagine me running down a hill as fast as I can screaming that!
;)) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliUUOE_TfWQaKBTC_hFJFtZlZH_a4d8gCmCMvRDJJ6u55YQJg8jVvP9K5FWUwGHNlf5p2A2epznOfFWMH3bO7Sz9UJRBkq2zo0Qg1c_VdEODQCN0EdvFNsJbWoc5ODDiDeKxnx7KQusbY/s1600/DSCN2479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliUUOE_TfWQaKBTC_hFJFtZlZH_a4d8gCmCMvRDJJ6u55YQJg8jVvP9K5FWUwGHNlf5p2A2epznOfFWMH3bO7Sz9UJRBkq2zo0Qg1c_VdEODQCN0EdvFNsJbWoc5ODDiDeKxnx7KQusbY/s1600/DSCN2479.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This morning we went and ran by the river. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also we ran that bridge in the background :) </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9csrSNdH_koKQgUV_2RNylsOG3OiWbzR3Kju5ohz1VSoRVDZYz2uNxJ18o-BjKxgY61029-d-ZFgwmHUXLMDlc5bNYNzc-GiNtn3MDbgsByI_zAvoPEmCyysWpjRaEbAqZPTPz5pD5NX/s1600/DSCN0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9csrSNdH_koKQgUV_2RNylsOG3OiWbzR3Kju5ohz1VSoRVDZYz2uNxJ18o-BjKxgY61029-d-ZFgwmHUXLMDlc5bNYNzc-GiNtn3MDbgsByI_zAvoPEmCyysWpjRaEbAqZPTPz5pD5NX/s1600/DSCN0466.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2552" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sister Larcabal snapped this picture this </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2552" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">morning of me running across the bridge. Cool</span> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2581">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2581">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2581">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Let me share some of the stories from the run! </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2553">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week we taught Oksana. We didn't get to teach her as often as we wanted
to, Sister Larcabal was sick one day and then she (Oksana, not Sister
Larcabal) went to the beach with her family another day, but we were
finally able to meet with her on Saturday. We went in feeling very
strongly that we should watch the Restoration movie with her. We had a
member come with us on the lesson and basically she couldn't have helped
us better if we had given her a script. It was AMAZING! :) Also,
multiple times throughout the film, Oksana would say things like, "I'm
just like Joseph". "I'm going to pray and ask". At the end of the
lesson, we had a super powerful moment where we knelt in prayer and
Oksana prayed and asked for Heavenly Help for what to do. At the end of
the prayer, as we kneeling together, we asked Oksana if she would be
baptized when she came to know that these things were true. When she
said yes, we were so excited to continue to help her learn for herself
that this message is true! Pray for her, and especially that she will be
able to come to church, and that her family will have their hearts
softened so that she be baptized here if she chooses to! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSik8oZL0O9Ukl8Uu5Hby8Mm9rSxQEs072SAqKVMJsYtkjofdLq9x2NnPaczcwBD78NR2DM8dE0WD_BOzov9Yt4HuyR4a8GXZv-_Q3sTSaDp2JaCwlkCmXls_PjTr58d26iveiuu0ylbS2/s1600/DSCN2461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSik8oZL0O9Ukl8Uu5Hby8Mm9rSxQEs072SAqKVMJsYtkjofdLq9x2NnPaczcwBD78NR2DM8dE0WD_BOzov9Yt4HuyR4a8GXZv-_Q3sTSaDp2JaCwlkCmXls_PjTr58d26iveiuu0ylbS2/s1600/DSCN2461.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Enjoying beautiful kyiv</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSZNE-rTeRN58HQC_ZSc3JxhL3LadMJhBrr6hqXF2d24JY4_FSzch2l1EAMS18ySjiFU0guKM2C3K2s6g1PuezGOfZURNSEJLj67bXeRZw8LuLIj3rEkaSdwmprksqWxW56_EEO9mo8Wx/s1600/DSCN2470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSZNE-rTeRN58HQC_ZSc3JxhL3LadMJhBrr6hqXF2d24JY4_FSzch2l1EAMS18ySjiFU0guKM2C3K2s6g1PuezGOfZURNSEJLj67bXeRZw8LuLIj3rEkaSdwmprksqWxW56_EEO9mo8Wx/s1600/DSCN2470.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2554" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is any zone meeting without a </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2554" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">picture of sister hunt and I together? </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2554" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2554" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2582">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In
another moment, we had a strong spiritual thought with the family in
the ward. We talked about faith, and had the opportunity to see the
family's faith grow right in front of us! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2555">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2583">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We had a lesson with a
returning less active and recent convert. We taught about repentance. I
don't think I have ever felt the Spirit so strongly in my life. We read
together Alma 36 and talked about the joy that comes from repentance. It
was so special to have the chance (the unplanned chance) to testify
about the same things that I wrote about last week :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE_pLHZ37vUqzOMXJuizXBb9DhUav2WEiTCLW45By3lUZq6kJQ4mFMZu68SzC2tiM3seu3EtidfYHMCytjOXxrrUAn9We29JU59j51rGbBe2Qh3FERaBZox2hs5iJkwfFsF8MLdqDdD-4/s1600/DSCN2469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE_pLHZ37vUqzOMXJuizXBb9DhUav2WEiTCLW45By3lUZq6kJQ4mFMZu68SzC2tiM3seu3EtidfYHMCytjOXxrrUAn9We29JU59j51rGbBe2Qh3FERaBZox2hs5iJkwfFsF8MLdqDdD-4/s1600/DSCN2469.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2584" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our cute zone :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2584" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2580">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yesterday, the Spirit was so strong in Testimony Meeting. I LOVE hearing others bear their testimony! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2556">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2579">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Also
yesterday, we went with the Elders to teach Austin, one of the recent
converts. When we walked in, there was a friend of his sleeping. She had
just arrived from out of town. Eventually though, she woke up and
participated in our spiritual thought, giving a great insight on faith.
As we were leaving, we asked if she wanted to come to church and she
said yes. We asked if she wanted to learn more and meet with us and she
said yes. It was so easy. Her name is Julianna. and just like Austin and
Kingsley, she is from Africa. I'm so excited! I've always wanted to
teach someone from Africa! They are elect :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2557">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2585">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In
a fun moment, One of the members told us that we are her favorite
missionaries and that we have something that sets us apart from others.
Missionaries love compliments like that :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2558">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2559">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And in a cute tender mercy,
Last week when we were at the Clarks, Brother Clark told me that the day
before, Dallas had asked for permission to go outside. When brother
clark asked why, Dallas said, "Well...I want to be like Sister Ford, and
she loves to run, so I want to run too and love it". And then Brother
Clark said, "Well... I had to give permission for that". Isn't that
darling? I love helping others learn to love to run :) It was so darn
cute! :) </span></span>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2586">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2560">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Can you see how I am just seeing so many blessings? I love being a missionary! It really is so fun! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2593">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2561">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">One
thing that I forgot to mention in my analogy about the hill. There was
one thing, when I was running up that hill that kept me going, even
after I wanted to stop. Just like at every other race that I had even
run, my dad was on the side of the course, cheering me on. (Thanks Dad!
-- don't get too teary eyed now). In the hills of life, never forget
that we have hoards of people standing there cheering us on. They want
us to succeed and they can and will help us in any way that they can!
And unlike in Cross country, where it is illegal, in the race of life,
we are a special coach that runs right next to us every step of the way.
That coach is Jesus Christ, and he is always right beside us, helping
us reach the top of the hill that we are climbing, and helping us reach
the top of every hill until we eventually reach our ultimate goal and
finish line, living with Heavenly Father again :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2594">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2578">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I
know that Christ helps us every step of the way! I know that he LOVES
us and will help us through those hard hills! The church is true and
was restored through Joseph Smith to be in its entirety on the earth
today! </span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2592">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you all! Enjoy the race :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2577">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407191335694_2562">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-36492462517391751932014-07-28T08:54:00.001-07:002014-07-28T08:54:15.684-07:00 How GREAT is the JOY!<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends,<br />WHAT
A CRAZY WEEK! We were so busy! I couldn't believe all that happened
this week. Some highlights include going into Kyiv, getting a wonderful
package from home, sharing a message with so many members about hope,
taking one of the young women with us on a missionary day, peppermint
patty miracles, teaching a new investigator, and a whole bunch more! </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2716">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2717">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thanks so much for
the package! I loved trying all the gluten-free treats! My package was
inspected by Ukraine, I hope it all made it haha :). </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAVK3CSaeV1xgfuiccTbjyFHKhg7aUnhpfb57WUeJqytD4EXC7PaTOT1o_wcGNp_SGeNQIjqLYPR9yToRsVleqjZ0aBnxdCPMyltXqgpUuFWFVonDFFKHbAZ_YnQ8vefzQ1WjFgLxufB9/s1600/DSCN2399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAVK3CSaeV1xgfuiccTbjyFHKhg7aUnhpfb57WUeJqytD4EXC7PaTOT1o_wcGNp_SGeNQIjqLYPR9yToRsVleqjZ0aBnxdCPMyltXqgpUuFWFVonDFFKHbAZ_YnQ8vefzQ1WjFgLxufB9/s1600/DSCN2399.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Searched package</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7329mZGKhPQ4Z1edmYc5GcKBHV1lhzumLdvWXNQI2e_htvwDWVDP0YihfMPfobJJJh1wTiP43bYcM1u7EP_g0SAYq5i23B8_szxPZ1_HU4I1iK_Yaeet-uZj61rkcOBi3k0qqczs6iUbt/s1600/DSCN2401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7329mZGKhPQ4Z1edmYc5GcKBHV1lhzumLdvWXNQI2e_htvwDWVDP0YihfMPfobJJJh1wTiP43bYcM1u7EP_g0SAYq5i23B8_szxPZ1_HU4I1iK_Yaeet-uZj61rkcOBi3k0qqczs6iUbt/s1600/DSCN2401.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0liCJ8FFcBxbKCgvjC1QNJzgbQG8HSw6Te8P8r2jCNsGXMtOt2WPTQS2E1p0b_mypNlAWOGUpNRDh4L-ijeMBBo6T4MhGWCYnKA1ixPYTL4Qy40HryYAed5njfM81RNwz1c_utETmtZGR/s1600/DSCN2402.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2718">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2719">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week we did a 24 hour exchange with Veronika, (Sister Clark). It was so
fun! :) We taught some language and lessons and at the end, she told us
that she for sure wants to serve a mission. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH6uiObkyOUW6I4hSwk08840uNGIBMssao-iktV9VmSxv4vhIgpqzvYnJBY_GHLeADR-KZedjN9LpWEon_ivQ7ADq-4rR0nOadViR_gPUy0LfBv_u1BdTJugvhpAx-HX3-j-0cnhLGD9U/s1600/DSCN2389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH6uiObkyOUW6I4hSwk08840uNGIBMssao-iktV9VmSxv4vhIgpqzvYnJBY_GHLeADR-KZedjN9LpWEon_ivQ7ADq-4rR0nOadViR_gPUy0LfBv_u1BdTJugvhpAx-HX3-j-0cnhLGD9U/s1600/DSCN2389.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Veronika, our cute mini :) (yeah I gave her that skirt)</span> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODD2aK2SxVXIcO5x2p6vfn8hE5PdYxfF6inNZ-Bdocd9fcQGb8DRXvi6sJqU2iAGiM_bpeCyrK1wJBXZQlhg6i8AygZ3JFxEtOFXNMPEn_PvqBltoqgRvT8xZlVp65V4UKKEaJVzy-dkk/s1600/DSCN2407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODD2aK2SxVXIcO5x2p6vfn8hE5PdYxfF6inNZ-Bdocd9fcQGb8DRXvi6sJqU2iAGiM_bpeCyrK1wJBXZQlhg6i8AygZ3JFxEtOFXNMPEn_PvqBltoqgRvT8xZlVp65V4UKKEaJVzy-dkk/s1600/DSCN2407.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> more pictures with Veronika</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85x6y5FVJHH4zO_bcCDBV6WcGKKNIHI2DorFedkkHZLNC6hlsAAIcKNOglHQl0BxfkH5Ln0oTwbm6fwpJm9N8EOWJBgNn1xvPRBwZjenvbU_UwbV1Zi3Ypfv7YcbRP8DvLWNzMVhyUeR0/s1600/DSCN2380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85x6y5FVJHH4zO_bcCDBV6WcGKKNIHI2DorFedkkHZLNC6hlsAAIcKNOglHQl0BxfkH5Ln0oTwbm6fwpJm9N8EOWJBgNn1xvPRBwZjenvbU_UwbV1Zi3Ypfv7YcbRP8DvLWNzMVhyUeR0/s1600/DSCN2380.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2720" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">we ate ice cream :) </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yNzAXMS813_cKslbYzlpoP_SHG3ERPHrFYfN1WdKwndkfcWQswlTmX2i_QICz2bizJpF_z0_FoO3LxLwL8JtlUhGTLf-UzfZPzCMMecpy1wJyFYmvR4xfXqujr2a9QSfPN39UQtTqAhb/s1600/DSCN2362.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> pretty Kyiv :) </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I
bought a traditional Ukrainian shirt and wore it to church on sunday. I
am now EVERY member's favorite missionary...seriously! It's cool :) </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvlgN2ty8i6JtpKyaT4U9fHEF47lkLgikJNpwJ5Bmt8u3iX1A9dWKGF-EpNR9vTa9LJWArB9G4WcJM10I_Wh9yRXbCNKiI3Gka8dcKuHmJYmlgFhTNRpSUli0jLwxMci5hToSws7Xeb-r/s1600/DSCN2370.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_6291" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">District gangster pictures :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_6292">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So
let me tell you about the progress with Oksana! She is wonderful! We
got the opportunity to teach her two times this past week, and both
times the Spirit was so strong! In one really special moment, Oksana
again asked if miracles happened today, and we were able to testify that
miracles do happen and that God is always a God of miracles! I got to
share one of my favorite scriptures with her, where is says, </span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />"And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty
miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of
the apostles. And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God
ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And
behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God;
and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles. Behold, I say
unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he
shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and
this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth. (Mormon
9:18-19, 21)" </span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />As I shared that scripture and we testified, Oksana started crying.
She then at that point asked if she could receive the miracle of
forgiveness of something that she has done in the past. I guess for
several years now, her family, church, and friends have told her that
she has no hope and that she can't repent, which is heartbreaking. What a
special experience it was for me to be able to testify that yes,
repentance is hard, yes, it takes a lot of work and patience and faith,
but it is possible and once we have repented, "I, the Lord, remember
them no more" (D&C 58:42). As we shared that hope with her, we
promised that the next time that we taught, we would teach about
repentance. That was on Thursday and we don't teach until tomorrow, but I
am so excited. To prepare for that lesson, I have been studying
repentance like none other, and I have learned so much! Repentance is
such a huge blessing in our lives! </span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />As I was studying repentance, I noticed a theme in the scriptures
that I was reading, I'll list a few and see if you see the same theme: <br /><br />And how great is his <b>joy</b> in the soul that repenteth! (D&C 18:13)</span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with<b> joy</b>,having
received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience,
because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who
should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto
them. (Mosiah 4:3). </span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />And oh, what<b> joy</b>, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea,my soul was filled with<b> joy</b> as exceeding as was my pain! (Alma 36:20). </span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2722">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"We will come to feel great joy in repenting daily" (Preach My Gospel, Chapter 3).</span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />The theme that I noticed was that after someone in the scriptures repented, they were filled with <b>JOY</b>!
And so I started thinking and studying more and more about joy. I
thought a lot about what joy is, and really liked what the guide to the
scriptures says, "Joy is a condition of great happiness that comes from
living the gospel. The purpose of mortal life is for all people to have
joy. A full joy will come only through Jesus Christ." As I thought about
that, I realized that the gospel is a message of joy! The reason why I
am here is to help others find joy! We so often refer to the great plan
of salvation as the plan of happiness, but how often do we really think
about that? How often do we take the time to consider that this
brilliant plan that our Heavenly Father created for us, that is possible
only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, was designed to help us
have joy? As soon as I started to think about that, and as soon as I
realized that this gospel message is a message of joy, I started seeing
evidence EVERYWHERE! For example, in the very first pages of Preach My
Gospel, we read, "Although they (people we meet on the street) may not
know why, they need relief from feelings of guilt that come from
mistakes and sins. They need to experience the joy of redemption by
receiving forgiveness of their sins and enjoying the gift of the Holy
Ghost". Lehi teaches in 2nd Nephi, "Men are that they might have joy" (2
Nephi 2:25). Both the sections in Preach My Gospel that talk about
enduring to the end teach that joy comes through living the gospel. Even
the Lord himself teaches that joy can be found through and only through
him, "For in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is
full." (D&C 101:36). </span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2738">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I think
that we, so often, we take advantage of the fact that we have a
knowledge about the restored gospel and the peace and hope and joy that
comes from the gospel. In the 128th section of the Doctrine and
Covenants, Joesph Smith writes an epistle to the Saints. This is in the
year 1842, about 2 years before Joseph Smith was killed. It had been 22
years since Joseph had had the first vision, and only 12 years since the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had been organized. In this
epistle, Joesph is giving further instructions of baptism for the dead,
and at the end of his letter, Joesph takes a moment to rejoice in the
restored gospel and the joy that is brings. In verse 19, he says, "Now,
what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of
gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the
earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and
the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that
say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth!" Do we feel that joy in our
life? Do we recognize the blessing of the restored gospel? Do we, as
Alma asks, "if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have
felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so
now?" (Alma 5:26). As I have been on my mission, I have had the
opportunity to watch people change and desire to be baptized. As they
repent, they change. They feel that joy. Their hearts change and the
process of repentance "makes you a new heart and a new spirit" (Ezekial
18:31). They are full of that desire to be good and to ALWAYS choose the
right. We sometimes say that they are "on fire". Ammon, a missionary
from the Book of Mormon, felt that joy and said, "behold, my joy is
full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
(Alma 26:11). I know that I have felt that joy (although maybe not to
the same extent as Ammon, because he spends a lot of his time passed out
because his joy was so great). I've felt that joy as I have repented, I
feel that joy when I testify and when I see those around me change and
make covenants with God. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2739">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2737">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Going
back to one of the quotes, I listed earlier, "We will come to feel
great joy in repenting daily" (PMG, chapter 3). I thought about that a
lot. None of us are perfect. All of us have made mistakes. All of us
need to repent everyday. But the Lord is so merciful, because he
forgives us! When we repent, we feel his love! We receive JOY! In the
vision of the Tree of Life, what does the tree represent? Elder
Maxwell said it best, "The tree of life … is the love of God. The love
of God for His children is most profoundly expressed in His gift of
Jesus as our Redeemer: ‘God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son’ To partake of the love of God is to partake of Jesus’
Atonement and the emancipations and joys which it can bring." When Lehi
partook of the fruit, he said, "And as I partook of the fruit thereof it
filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be
desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it
was desirable above all other fruit." (1 Nephi 8:12). When we have used
the Atonement in our life to become better and to receive a remission of
our sins, we want to help others feel the same way. I know the joy that
comes into my life from the gospel, from repentance, from the
Atonement, and I want Oksana to feel that joy! I want my other
investigators to feel that joy! I want my friends and family members to
feel that joy! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2740">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2736">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I
know that this gospel is a message of JOY! I know that obeying the
principles of the gospel brings happiness, peace and JOY! I know that
through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can receive forgiveness of our
sins! I love my Savior! I am so grateful for His love! I challenge you
all to look for the JOY that the gospel brings. Maybe you can feel it
strongly in your life right now, but maybe you aren't feeling it so
strong at the moment. If that is you, follow King Benjamin's advice when
he said, " And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye
have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of
his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission
of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls,
even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in
remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his
goodness and long-suffering towards you... and humble yourselves even in
the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and
standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come... And
behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and
be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your
sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that
created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true."
(Mosiah 4:11-13). Remember what God has done for you! Pray and be
grateful and keep going in the faith! Stay strong! I love his promise
there, that if you do that, YE SHALL ALWAYS REJOICE! The JOY in the
gospel really is so great! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2735">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2743">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you all! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2741">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406558844110_2734">
<br /></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-51183520108269553922014-07-21T12:17:00.000-07:002014-07-21T12:17:03.214-07:00Story time :)<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2559">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2558">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week was crazy! You know how every once in a while I share a "This
would only happen in Ukraine" moment. This week there was SO many
moments like that, I haven't even gotten a chance to write about them
all in my journal! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0PIFZj8XCK7xt06oOex7uzcjKxmeMgCNhG_dDlaUi7PdxZTODpQ6-kwPSsEEgv8YX4vwJygKYEkfnVDpI7T8T13gg-BHQqwjb7p1wXnl5polHL55_pMBD95roV6Gm7d3yZ2EtZBb2fwD/s1600/Ford.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0PIFZj8XCK7xt06oOex7uzcjKxmeMgCNhG_dDlaUi7PdxZTODpQ6-kwPSsEEgv8YX4vwJygKYEkfnVDpI7T8T13gg-BHQqwjb7p1wXnl5polHL55_pMBD95roV6Gm7d3yZ2EtZBb2fwD/s1600/Ford.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2565" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Kati and Pres and Sister Packer</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2565" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2203">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">First
of all, We moved! Our apartment is SO CUTE! I'm in love with it! I'm
pretty sure it is the best apartment I have lived in on my mission! I
took some pictures of it and then when I was in the mission office, I
was showing everyone. They loved it too :) </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40lpFcx-fgs3TJSFLzwzLehgcnimkGG4cihOZS_wZ_cWNSQSXcPteiacsUPZE23wI_fSj80A8E3Q08YCrUMD82V-qcoIsbjhcc9bFfpkZ5s9_LCzH8CJdXAEvlE39zCF27z7GCodqEe7u/s1600/DSCN2305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40lpFcx-fgs3TJSFLzwzLehgcnimkGG4cihOZS_wZ_cWNSQSXcPteiacsUPZE23wI_fSj80A8E3Q08YCrUMD82V-qcoIsbjhcc9bFfpkZ5s9_LCzH8CJdXAEvlE39zCF27z7GCodqEe7u/s1600/DSCN2305.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Our darling apartment</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uyn3oCE78Wr8JP0pB-iYKBsfO83YJhE39dcfyUMQJ-5EYRzq5yLX9l_1_Q-fGDKg8TJo-odGl6aLjAkWV4ADB_7V8ytmdFfd3QD_t0laWEdaEVpwVGmz766XHRy1v1JWNnSOuQWwxsPD/s1600/DSCN2315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uyn3oCE78Wr8JP0pB-iYKBsfO83YJhE39dcfyUMQJ-5EYRzq5yLX9l_1_Q-fGDKg8TJo-odGl6aLjAkWV4ADB_7V8ytmdFfd3QD_t0laWEdaEVpwVGmz766XHRy1v1JWNnSOuQWwxsPD/s1600/DSCN2315.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Told you - pink lemonade :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-ArgR7Lpb9FyzJSM7U8-UL8HT4N35Ew0vrOuezmmtSsYQWzMzU4PXF7Cj9cyWL4R_GA_uMqHPBrlPhAVaM7gluoAnpTgs7YMwvuL00rLSBWih1T5lZmmTUYCmq57kWv3L_z7jqXBmSRU/s1600/DSCN2309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-ArgR7Lpb9FyzJSM7U8-UL8HT4N35Ew0vrOuezmmtSsYQWzMzU4PXF7Cj9cyWL4R_GA_uMqHPBrlPhAVaM7gluoAnpTgs7YMwvuL00rLSBWih1T5lZmmTUYCmq57kWv3L_z7jqXBmSRU/s1600/DSCN2309.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2203">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh139Lp6ABt6-l5OS4Sry_In9aciGCY9FTUfnP8oDZuIuF206JGZVkQVFovZFvGJnWx3eTiW8UVcKuSytHgpIWK_RPkVSpEyGtLEWKiGAOZ4p5wOl3TzTxAgR_3yVXdSmvx7uMNP2-ZhQF4/s1600/DSCN2318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh139Lp6ABt6-l5OS4Sry_In9aciGCY9FTUfnP8oDZuIuF206JGZVkQVFovZFvGJnWx3eTiW8UVcKuSytHgpIWK_RPkVSpEyGtLEWKiGAOZ4p5wOl3TzTxAgR_3yVXdSmvx7uMNP2-ZhQF4/s1600/DSCN2318.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoz7ihfYNjJpderKAbK_mWwHeIdTULfTa-qHkEMV87LvMD2Fjug4hteMNGvFu96uczJRkl17yMksgC9V1ZT7HJx45zn6TunocjNUb_-P6wJA5EHMlIFqz0FS0LD-ebZrao-qMq7fy3ISX/s1600/DSCN2324.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoz7ihfYNjJpderKAbK_mWwHeIdTULfTa-qHkEMV87LvMD2Fjug4hteMNGvFu96uczJRkl17yMksgC9V1ZT7HJx45zn6TunocjNUb_-P6wJA5EHMlIFqz0FS0LD-ebZrao-qMq7fy3ISX/s1600/DSCN2324.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> we found the roof... cool! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOF6NFtxh8zzkMOCIYkevnKqMYB9i5UOYxvYskn3vKP0KDuZ5-y7LoJo1XKTgRd1KyplHSATwfyI0Lx6g6bSTXzH1K1mwfXpOLrviyE3k1UfGaqP6ow_9mKVwEFhxY_re5kBhjMcf80x5y/s1600/DSCN2321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOF6NFtxh8zzkMOCIYkevnKqMYB9i5UOYxvYskn3vKP0KDuZ5-y7LoJo1XKTgRd1KyplHSATwfyI0Lx6g6bSTXzH1K1mwfXpOLrviyE3k1UfGaqP6ow_9mKVwEFhxY_re5kBhjMcf80x5y/s1600/DSCN2321.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2203">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's good that I love it so
much, because TRANSFO came out this week and I am staying here and with
Sister Larcabal! Basically everything else is changing. I think we are
one of very few companionship's that are staying the same. We are getting
a new elder here though, Elder Lindsey, who served in Suvorovsky with
me! Yay! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2566">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But moving was an adventure as
we had to somehow transport all of our stuff across town in a series of
taxis. Wow. But we did it! :) And we got all unpacked and settled in
:) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2567">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5fKKo89Cu8BE0WPSNl2aufNacxbtcsNvpvCVcB1Zt6EoRdrjTPBxUhOpBteiePQfOyMHlUX04EZOgfpf5HmsCvAp81roujw93wpYqSzEVpT7WzBtGCQQNrkG3A2QrsLOYL26mhZKspVA/s1600/DSCN2343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5fKKo89Cu8BE0WPSNl2aufNacxbtcsNvpvCVcB1Zt6EoRdrjTPBxUhOpBteiePQfOyMHlUX04EZOgfpf5HmsCvAp81roujw93wpYqSzEVpT7WzBtGCQQNrkG3A2QrsLOYL26mhZKspVA/s1600/DSCN2343.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2567">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">BBQ in the park :)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2568">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tuesday
was a little crazy because we had to tell our landlady that we moved
and give her the keys. We gave her a heads up a few weeks ago that we
would be leaving, but I think she thought that we wouldn't be able to
find a new apartment. So she went a little crazy when we tried to turn
over the keys. It was after English on Tuesday and we were in a hurry
because we had to get home on time. But she went crazy and yelling and
wouldn't let us leave. She told us a bunch of stuff that people "told
her" but then when we talked to them, it wasn't true. So we were stuck.
We had no idea what to do, so we called the Assistants, who told us to
get ourselves out. So we ended up running for it. We put down some
money and the keys and RAN out the door, with her chasing after us. We
BOOKED it down the stairs and into the Taxi, slamming the doors of the
car behind us and saying, "GO!". I think we scared the taxi driver, he
was so confused on why we were so freaked out. But basically, we are
REALLY grateful for the new apartment and for the fact that we won't
have to deal with a crazy landlady anymore. Moral of the story, when I
get home, I will be able to handle ANY crazy situation, because I just
had to deal with it in Russian/Ukrainian! </span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xpbYu4VTZHQwy3rsOU7J6gRGQT6-aO5awU-TvclDrbBuB5ixYQrrL1nExMz5QtgAmTSNq6Yc7sm7RQTjYubYfvcR29Vg6s71aGQZlMAab0jukAbM7VPBaZ2wo1Hk_-UdvgECnQNThtP3/s1600/FSCN2351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xpbYu4VTZHQwy3rsOU7J6gRGQT6-aO5awU-TvclDrbBuB5ixYQrrL1nExMz5QtgAmTSNq6Yc7sm7RQTjYubYfvcR29Vg6s71aGQZlMAab0jukAbM7VPBaZ2wo1Hk_-UdvgECnQNThtP3/s1600/FSCN2351.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2569">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hi, my name is Sister Ford </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoz7ihfYNjJpderKAbK_mWwHeIdTULfTa-qHkEMV87LvMD2Fjug4hteMNGvFu96uczJRkl17yMksgC9V1ZT7HJx45zn6TunocjNUb_-P6wJA5EHMlIFqz0FS0LD-ebZrao-qMq7fy3ISX/s1600/DSCN2324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2570">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In
just another crazy story, On Thursday, morning, we went running. We
were in our new apartment, so we didn't really know the area. I thought
that we could make a loop out of our path but pretty soon we ran out of
time. I saw a dirt path that seemingly led straight to our apartment
building so we headed down that path. Maybe not so smart... At one point
some scary looking dogs starting coming and they were barking all scary
so we walked past them and they didn't attack. thankfully. So we kept
going. All the sudden the path that we were walking on ended. But we
didn't want to walk back past the dogs, so we just decided to forge our
way through the grass. The grass kept cutting my legs, which I don't
really understand because Sister Larcabal didn't get cut up at all. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_HMi8-dU9LUUOmpyWiuQSxMNv4hgmPhw3VXbJxE8qt75H8e8M00pALw5FVhm8TdEgxJKK_tsMMhBTFGEVuBvv_8yIw4Gv-mdvu5OZn7n0fqrktTpUqehpR30NHEoHmIx6vEfOSw7Umme/s1600/DSCN2333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_HMi8-dU9LUUOmpyWiuQSxMNv4hgmPhw3VXbJxE8qt75H8e8M00pALw5FVhm8TdEgxJKK_tsMMhBTFGEVuBvv_8yIw4Gv-mdvu5OZn7n0fqrktTpUqehpR30NHEoHmIx6vEfOSw7Umme/s1600/DSCN2333.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2570" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Can you see my scratched up legs? </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2570" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2570">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As
we were going through the grass, all the sudden we looked up and
realized that there wasn't a way out. We were surrounded on 3 sides by
high concrete walls with the dogs behind us. So we debated what to do
and decided that it would be faster and not as scary (because dogs are
scary) to jump over one of the walls. So we jumped over the wall and we
were pretty proud of ourselves...until we realized that we were still
fenced in because we had jumped the wall into a factory. Great. So we
just kinda wandered around the factory until we found an exit, just
walking past all the guards and workers like the owned the place. We got
home pretty late, but made it home eventually. :) So that was an
adventure. Moral of that story, Don't take the shortcut :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2571">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This week, one
of our investigators took us to a Healthy Body class and we got
"massages". Except we were just laying on mattresses that heated up. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXzUaFV1qj7ocOUFyoCNimmYIZ4oVt2e2oTVRNIopxFkyt_f0BGI7-iRnwps2-jcYp82wcB343tBjeiiUoekfHHCop6wue7P5MhuIX20OTa8VGmS1v_I5sUwQWHG68tMsJLeeh8G8qZJy/s1600/DSCN2347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXzUaFV1qj7ocOUFyoCNimmYIZ4oVt2e2oTVRNIopxFkyt_f0BGI7-iRnwps2-jcYp82wcB343tBjeiiUoekfHHCop6wue7P5MhuIX20OTa8VGmS1v_I5sUwQWHG68tMsJLeeh8G8qZJy/s1600/DSCN2347.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2571" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Massage troubles... </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2571">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm
not sure what they were supposed to do but basically I'm pretty excited
for when I get home and can get a real massage! :) It was
interesting... </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GwgkEdW7858ZUcGjfLafJNrBDLbW9rTGchOw-s8DyYRskWXjZnKArMho0VtuXfIZOu8PmzSimQfGTxdij4xk11jpHK-ShTD3G2PDWaVTYOhLb9cji2EYYIr3QAL2hXs5SJyNKbbpTf0w/s1600/DSCN2341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GwgkEdW7858ZUcGjfLafJNrBDLbW9rTGchOw-s8DyYRskWXjZnKArMho0VtuXfIZOu8PmzSimQfGTxdij4xk11jpHK-ShTD3G2PDWaVTYOhLb9cji2EYYIr3QAL2hXs5SJyNKbbpTf0w/s1600/DSCN2341.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">one of the senior missionaries gave</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> me some gluten free flour! So nice :)</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_4-thTHDAyXWhUrq_WPlzvdVbbtyArP-ibOfyIn5WXYm7l6LrLioXHFxAGbIAULYt4wQNKJQ-VUO_uObuR-u3sxKBjTTA0EAz38U9oD0jbf59-rMBZ4cibSXwqS3rsyQciTJxdM7pliL/s1600/DSCN2340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_4-thTHDAyXWhUrq_WPlzvdVbbtyArP-ibOfyIn5WXYm7l6LrLioXHFxAGbIAULYt4wQNKJQ-VUO_uObuR-u3sxKBjTTA0EAz38U9oD0jbf59-rMBZ4cibSXwqS3rsyQciTJxdM7pliL/s1600/DSCN2340.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made some crepes! :) </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Okay, so enough crazy stories, I promise that I have some good stories too! A lot of them too :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2572">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">With
our recent convert, we played a matching commandment lesson. It was so
good and so fun! The Spirit was really strong as we talked about why the
commandments are important. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2573">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2574">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">With
one less active family, we used there computer to show a Mormon
Message. They liked it so much that for the next 20 minutes, they just
kept picking another and another and another message to watch. After
that, we told them that we had to leave, and as we were leaving, they
kept watching more and more. For the first time since I have been there,
after our lesson, they actually kept the commitment that we left them!
It was awesome! The husband's name is Kosta and I have never seen him so
happy! I know it was because he was feeling the Spirit! I love how the
Holy Ghost can help people! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2575">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2576">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So,
recently to our English class, this lady named Oksana has been coming.
She is super cute and has a darling 10 year old son. On Tuesday, as we
left to deal with our landlady (horrible timing, I know), she was
talking about Jesus Christ. So on Thursday, we asked her if we could
show her the "Because of Him" Mormon message (Google it if you haven't
seen it! :)). So we watched it together and I look over at here and she
is bawling. So we asked her what she was thinking and she said, "I just
wish that someone today on Earth had that same power to heal that Jesus
Christ had." What an incredible opportunity for us, because we were able
to testify of the power of the priesthood of God that has been restored
to the earth today! In our church, we have that power! That power to
heal, to comfort, to lift, and to bless! So we testified that and she
expressed interest in learning more. Early that day, I had actually
received a really powerful blessing and so it was special for me to have
the experience to bear testimony of the priesthood power just hours
after it had blessed my life so profoundly! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2577">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This week, I have been studying the Atonement a lot and today I came across a really great quote. It says,</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2591">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> "If
you feel unclean, unloved, unhappy, unworthy, or unwhole, remember “all
that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of
Jesus Christ.” Have faith and patience in the Savior’s timing and
purposes for you. “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36). Be assured
the Savior still seeks to mend our souls and heal our hearts. He waits
at the door and knocks. Let us answer by beginning again to pray,
repent, forgive, and forget. Let us love God and serve our neighbor and
stand in holy places with a life made clean. The impotent man at the
pool of Bethesda, the leper along the journey to Jerusalem, and Corrie
ten Boom were made whole. “Wilt thou be made whole?” Rise and walk. His
“grace is sufficient” (2 Corinthians 12:9), and you will not walk
alone." (Wilt thou be made whole) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I have such a great testimony of the Atonement of Jesus
Christ! I know that He lives and that He really did suffer for our
sins! Because of him, we can be healed, we can be given strength beyond
our own and that through him, ALL is possible! I know that Christ lives!
He loves us! He is waiting for us to come to us so that he can heal us!
The priesthood power is on the Earth today and we are so blessed to
have a knowledge of both the Atonement and the power of the Priesthood! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love being a missionary and being able to testify
and help others! Let your light shine and be happy as you share the
gospel, for it truly is GOOD NEWS of healing and help!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">LOVE YOU ALL! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2588">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405966787632_2589">
<br /></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-413063654125174842014-07-17T03:05:00.000-07:002014-07-17T16:59:38.220-07:00missionary work, temple, cherries, rain, cake<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">What to say...what to say! This week was crazy! I just went back and read through it in my journal, wow, a LOT happened. I'm not even sure where to begin and it doesn't really have a theme of any sort, otherwise I would categorize it in some cute way. Maybe I'll just write about it by day... here we go!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">MONDAY: So Monday Night, we had a family home evening with the Svirsky Family. They are a moving force behind the Brovary branch, and ( I'm not even sure if this EVER has happened anywhere else) they are part of every presidency in our branch. In this cute family of 4, we have the Branch President, the Elder Quorum President, the 1st counselor in the Primary Presidency and the 1st counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. So I think we guessed correctly when we assumed that they could be a great force in propelling missionary work forward in this branch. So we planned a really focused lesson on missionary work. I was more than a little afraid, because this family is a little intimidating and sometimes they go off in Ukrainian and then we don't understand... But We went in and started the lesson. IT WAS A FANTASTIC LESSON! As soon as we brought up the topic of missionary work, the mom went off about how she didn't know anybody and couldn't do missionary work. Although it was off of our plan, I felt prompted to talk about how we could do missionary work in smaller ways and then asked them the very simplest thing they could do to start doing missionary work. I was referring to prayer and shared Alma 6:6 with them "Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God". They loved that and we talked about pray and other small and simple acts of missionary service. We shared with them a copy of the talk by Elder Nielsen from General Conference last year (EXCLAMATION POINT!) and asked them as a family to come up with their own personal missionary work plan. At the end, I shared my testimony and it was such a strong moment for me. I felt the Spirit so strongly, the Russian came easily and they understood everything that I said and I was able to promise them that if they made and followed a family missionary plan, they would have the opportunity to bring the gospel to someone and in the process, it would strengthen their family as well. Usually after a lesson like that, it takes some time to see the results. But in a special tender mercy, I was able to witness Sveta, (the mom) ask the Elders in our branch yesterday the names of their investigators so that she could pray for them, which just happens to perfectly align with step 2 of Elder Nielsen's proposed plan! I'm so excited to follow up further and see the blessings that missionary work can bring to their lives!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">TUESDAY: On Tuesday, we went and served at the Clark's house! It was so fun but hard work. For more than 2 hours, I was on a ladder up in a tree picking cherries! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9hxfQRZnfxxDtwtu9PTZ4Hcwrmy4tpGLi2or2mFURCGsIcBm4vcuwHNqSrBR4WSEjobbzmE_ITm1YHiKAP6hPSnrvA1vRP6QczrN02qqERwJBTTtdEXrTy5VSMrFp1gqVrtQzSKxLckB/s1600/DSCN2285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9hxfQRZnfxxDtwtu9PTZ4Hcwrmy4tpGLi2or2mFURCGsIcBm4vcuwHNqSrBR4WSEjobbzmE_ITm1YHiKAP6hPSnrvA1vRP6QczrN02qqERwJBTTtdEXrTy5VSMrFp1gqVrtQzSKxLckB/s1600/DSCN2285.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yyyyuyRXNHNqjf_TGczDcvlCeoGvzCBUcYvcj_1bPM7L0N8aWGco7NlCnrjKoTpW8kH9vPorxWS_or3DkZLIOEN9JmthQSO2oJE0kRv4swqY49h7SGpWXz5TWzFrpClLwQI_6D-4jzvc/s1600/DSCN2286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yyyyuyRXNHNqjf_TGczDcvlCeoGvzCBUcYvcj_1bPM7L0N8aWGco7NlCnrjKoTpW8kH9vPorxWS_or3DkZLIOEN9JmthQSO2oJE0kRv4swqY49h7SGpWXz5TWzFrpClLwQI_6D-4jzvc/s1600/DSCN2286.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESM-hbSu89r9hhfjoktuw_csOi1HgOR1JvRdju8CpFugyEbxtFmiY8xVaewh17eIa5Lfb1yDlgL2IqNpg4VBqTybkccxFOtWsAVOC26a2OH8PKh_fiNUJHuzq0EZOzaMt25-6tKD3f_ga/s1600/DSCN2289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESM-hbSu89r9hhfjoktuw_csOi1HgOR1JvRdju8CpFugyEbxtFmiY8xVaewh17eIa5Lfb1yDlgL2IqNpg4VBqTybkccxFOtWsAVOC26a2OH8PKh_fiNUJHuzq0EZOzaMt25-6tKD3f_ga/s1600/DSCN2289.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">I picked so many cherries! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSTYrlrLRZf36QuI-HkPeuB5Q1uPJWJjZF7PSpyoPAzGOg4TA8vyaPi7MYucsHgyvwx9DNAgKSbC0jdQtVx76hJWIyVHPuJnPMT0gJ5JYzZL1Pz5azqaUeP4YdMnexCei2eVmjDjCAwZH/s1600/DSCN2291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSTYrlrLRZf36QuI-HkPeuB5Q1uPJWJjZF7PSpyoPAzGOg4TA8vyaPi7MYucsHgyvwx9DNAgKSbC0jdQtVx76hJWIyVHPuJnPMT0gJ5JYzZL1Pz5azqaUeP4YdMnexCei2eVmjDjCAwZH/s1600/DSCN2291.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">After we finished serving, we ate some rice and headed to the bus stop. But for some reason, the bus like never came. Uh-oh. Finally the bus came at 6:20, which was problematic because English started at 7. Needless to say, all of us were late to English, and had to go in our Service clothes, which were covered in berry juice. It was quite the English. The Clark boys have been asking me to come and run with them for some time now, so on Tuesday, I wore clothes and shoes that I was able to run in. So we ran all the way to the bus stop. It was so fun to run as fast as I could! By the time that the bus came, the running combined with the cherry-picking had tired me out so much. That is where the picture of me asleep on the bus comes from (thanks Sister Larcabal!).</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOaP8IpFYI_XA03lLP-C8jeBUKZWZfqHxqfO2SWqqNT_NlsXy6h8AQQN6k1QrTYcgti_cdFfBvlAwgfDHUfm3l0343XdpMMJH01zkVKcb-TLt-6DqFpQdPSox8qQmsjxI8UIBavnY1fZA/s1600/RSCN0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOaP8IpFYI_XA03lLP-C8jeBUKZWZfqHxqfO2SWqqNT_NlsXy6h8AQQN6k1QrTYcgti_cdFfBvlAwgfDHUfm3l0343XdpMMJH01zkVKcb-TLt-6DqFpQdPSox8qQmsjxI8UIBavnY1fZA/s1600/RSCN0428.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">sleeping on the bus, don't judge :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">WEDNESDAY: Wednesday we got to go to the TEMPLE! YAY! I noticed some time ago that Odessa had a scheduled temple trip this week, so Sister Larcabal and I asked for permission to go to the temple and do a session there! Yay! :) It was so great! I was able to see some people from Odessa and get caught up in what is happening in their lives and also got to do a temple session! It was also really cool because Wednesday morning also just happens to be the day that the Brovary Branch is in charge of being temple workers. So right as we walk in, Brother Svirsky takes our recommends. We got to see so many people from our branch and they were all so happy to see and greet us! I love the temple! When I get home and am at BYU again, I want to go to the temple everyday....! :) I'm not sure if that is possible, but it is what I want :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">THURSDAY: Thursday was a crazy day because we FOUND A NEW APARTMENT! We move in tomorrow, so I will send pictures home next week! But it is brand new and cute and has a green kitchen and the outside of the building is what I call Pink Lemonade, which will make sense when I send home a picture. It is not at all Ukrainian and (maybe the best part) IT HAS HOT WATER! I can't wait for that part :) So that day was crazy as we signed a contract and set up a payment schedule and all that stuff (can you believe I can do all that in Russian?!?!) So then we during the rest of the week have been doing some packing This next story is what I would in-title "Members: They Mean Well". Thursday night we had another meeting with Zhenya recent convert and his family. We taught that Plan of Salvation and had them help teach and it was really good. At the end of the lesson, so excited, Zhenya and Yulia (his wife) told us about a surprise that they had for us, pulling out a cake. Why were they so excited? Because it was gluten-free. Or so they said. After eating two large pieces, I could definitely tell that it was not a gluten-free cake and spent most of Friday sick :( I felt so bad that their big surprise actually made me sick. It was crazy though, because on Thursday there was SO MUCH RAIN!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJnPE1xeQalyypNWOrrbsRNJWI_CXVUNS3dtPkI9fx3tJ180uLT4rlbZvwewQKazlbl2UTWiTWW2_rQBHEMCBCB1gJB7z0-Yw3bSvuJT1qUQ82swMvzFkpAhFNUPly1G7YA9e25J5x5zH/s1600/DSCN0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJnPE1xeQalyypNWOrrbsRNJWI_CXVUNS3dtPkI9fx3tJ180uLT4rlbZvwewQKazlbl2UTWiTWW2_rQBHEMCBCB1gJB7z0-Yw3bSvuJT1qUQ82swMvzFkpAhFNUPly1G7YA9e25J5x5zH/s1600/DSCN0441.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTQkohqfXyTv6aZp3Ak514925eWoFasUAszuAEWNZbpj8NeH7SmqhBBfVEn9HXHLNz1-GUkEjTLLYpgTOPEnYHxoTZHeoARjaAZI9PG6mEFowVRmXXrT98aewt3aIHswpc1cknuUZNygU/s1600/DSCN0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTQkohqfXyTv6aZp3Ak514925eWoFasUAszuAEWNZbpj8NeH7SmqhBBfVEn9HXHLNz1-GUkEjTLLYpgTOPEnYHxoTZHeoARjaAZI9PG6mEFowVRmXXrT98aewt3aIHswpc1cknuUZNygU/s1600/DSCN0442.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's a lot of rain! The dog was </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">jumping everywhere, it was cute </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbhp3sX5PXwo197sUgaZY5bUW-J9ME77aPkwSZp9UgymmkqblUIYWewVtheLn9ca-0GFdPiLWcKLV44UkmyjLUq8uzQ2eOYr2GoAIf1-mKNlpOc8fSq2wZhLoWlDZeIW1zKm9TkjB1Osg/s1600/DSCN0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbhp3sX5PXwo197sUgaZY5bUW-J9ME77aPkwSZp9UgymmkqblUIYWewVtheLn9ca-0GFdPiLWcKLV44UkmyjLUq8uzQ2eOYr2GoAIf1-mKNlpOc8fSq2wZhLoWlDZeIW1zKm9TkjB1Osg/s1600/DSCN0434.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhjzbDoQCMoWo3wu6O2Vd1o87hXhbjXryN40HpNM9ff4DaAu4_YegwIz2gtr0Pb-kfHE0TDBiPqNTsJFpoC4TLq2Hv4b-6LhQsOKosjTMNcYjAUCU2X_3sGOPcbmuuIlYFFIaoy2VnNrd/s1600/DSCN0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhjzbDoQCMoWo3wu6O2Vd1o87hXhbjXryN40HpNM9ff4DaAu4_YegwIz2gtr0Pb-kfHE0TDBiPqNTsJFpoC4TLq2Hv4b-6LhQsOKosjTMNcYjAUCU2X_3sGOPcbmuuIlYFFIaoy2VnNrd/s1600/DSCN0435.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> We were walking home in puddles up to our calves! It was pretty fun to splash around a little bit, especially since we weren't really prepared for that much rain!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">SUNDAY: Friday and Saturday I was kinda sick, so if anything cool happened, I don't really remember it. But Sunday! So in just a few weeks, the annual Ukraine Youth Conference (very similar to EFY) is happening and to prepare, we with Brother Roman did a Fireside last night. Actually brother Roman did almost everything, we just testified. But It was such a good fireside! There was videos and music videos and it was cute! They even showed a super fun video from the conference last year, which was so cool because I knew a lot of people! I spent some time reflecting on how special the youth are here in Ukraine. And then I spent some time reflecting on how, someday, I want to be an EFY counselor. That would be so cool :) So that was awesome :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">This week was pretty crazy, but really fun! I love serving in Brovary and having the opportunity to work with so many great members of the church! They are strong and happy and I am so blessed to see their examples! I love being a missionary in Ukraine and being able to work and help grow the kingdom of God here! I know the Church is true and I know that President Monson is a prophet of God!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">I love you all! I especially love my family! <3 Love, Sister Kati Ford</span>Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-75804489145706030782014-07-07T08:37:00.002-07:002014-07-07T08:37:22.342-07:00Happy 4th of July!!<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5369">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5368">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy late- 4th of July! I hope you had a great BBQ weekend! We did! :)</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5367">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5362">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> On
Friday (The 4th of July) we had a 3-Zone Conference with our new
mission president, President Packer and his family. THEY ARE THE CUTEST! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLeRvRXM_ELqzVXANau6ip5i3nf2Yk8nkuUTmgz2_Ep-FjNLytuuqDVl6tcsmjI8OX_x28FEU0YQEPPk8oUkPr2cxY7XTbNw3wloq1xyu5mhjoRJ5TvvOqLq9Co15Svhut261c6papsJY/s1600/zone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLeRvRXM_ELqzVXANau6ip5i3nf2Yk8nkuUTmgz2_Ep-FjNLytuuqDVl6tcsmjI8OX_x28FEU0YQEPPk8oUkPr2cxY7XTbNw3wloq1xyu5mhjoRJ5TvvOqLq9Co15Svhut261c6papsJY/s1600/zone.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Zone Conference July 4th 2014 Picture</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRr7b9tmDNewSBsSGGJPCqvMUvmmHxAdzaB4_KDFkZty3v5tDfXN9tLV-TjuhFFidVFHD68wIorDlcJJdGCa1_SNZmmfzROdVP97N5VgPZt8ZfpYNsDy6J0QfAte4vD5gYQeNzYGVYH5K/s1600/P1010675.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRr7b9tmDNewSBsSGGJPCqvMUvmmHxAdzaB4_KDFkZty3v5tDfXN9tLV-TjuhFFidVFHD68wIorDlcJJdGCa1_SNZmmfzROdVP97N5VgPZt8ZfpYNsDy6J0QfAte4vD5gYQeNzYGVYH5K/s1600/P1010675.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kati with Elder Sant a good friend of Danelle Larsen in Colorado!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dNqxPGkTSrq3IRBRlwFqOf3hrfJit_1VoRGPdbIVtLzBhmLuHKUxRrJbrguYsemYP8nQ1hMX2hGZgyqfPg27G20JFBGmKtxEjp8_3m-s8LtcJUuUqGsH_SjMfNAXJ3gE7LtlshF8UMvN/s1600/DSCN2277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dNqxPGkTSrq3IRBRlwFqOf3hrfJit_1VoRGPdbIVtLzBhmLuHKUxRrJbrguYsemYP8nQ1hMX2hGZgyqfPg27G20JFBGmKtxEjp8_3m-s8LtcJUuUqGsH_SjMfNAXJ3gE7LtlshF8UMvN/s1600/DSCN2277.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Double photo bomb!!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QB1IVZQuOZn8wYRgZzjGHBR5_jFrAIxMy7hgmRCVZJ_eCsCjuusYN0Cdy_560yOqw_IPApmH-UzIH0USswbimIH65TCJZaG3vc8_CloJGiJRr2O-LUmFCOQZXvMXZn8UQhap_AU2ZyxU/s1600/DSCN2281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QB1IVZQuOZn8wYRgZzjGHBR5_jFrAIxMy7hgmRCVZJ_eCsCjuusYN0Cdy_560yOqw_IPApmH-UzIH0USswbimIH65TCJZaG3vc8_CloJGiJRr2O-LUmFCOQZXvMXZn8UQhap_AU2ZyxU/s1600/DSCN2281.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Me and my beautiful companion :)</span> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmL_br4pZsAlSHtkT_-m9G6yVZ-fixEDJAh-3-siPX0baTBEb8ikE9v7sYqCPFuqMsmLvFknEFQEEO8F0BxYbKJoqg3MlgemihieCLFwl3BCWJgoJoRDFpRb6_AgchhhVKWF1xqqUL19oo/s1600/DSCN2279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmL_br4pZsAlSHtkT_-m9G6yVZ-fixEDJAh-3-siPX0baTBEb8ikE9v7sYqCPFuqMsmLvFknEFQEEO8F0BxYbKJoqg3MlgemihieCLFwl3BCWJgoJoRDFpRb6_AgchhhVKWF1xqqUL19oo/s1600/DSCN2279.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5362" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">4th of July. 'merica pride</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5362">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5362">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> They have 4 kids, 2 teenage boys and 2 young girls and their kids are
all so cute and good. I guess I never really thought about what the kids
of mission presidents would have to "sacrifice", but these kids gave up
sports, friends, toys. All of the kids are very involved in sports, -
Basketball, baseball, football, soccer, lacrosse, fishing, gymnastics,
horseback riding, cheer leading - and they left their teams and their
sports to come and serve the Lord. They are a great example to me of
"going and doing what the Lord commands". </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5380">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5381">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
whole family has had a crazy past 8 weeks as they have learned about
the call and packed and moved and started serving as mission president
and family. Normally I think mission presidents get 6 months to prepare,
so you can imagine that crazy journey. But they are here and excited to
be here and we had a great conference on Friday! From that conference, I
again just felt that the Lord is preparing the hearts of people here.
President told us several times that during conversations that he had
with different apostles, they all would say that Ukraine is the place to
be serving right now. People are ready here in Ukraine! That is why we
are here, and especially why I (Sister Ford) am here! :) To help people
come unto Christ and learn about His restored church! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5382">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5383">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because
it was the 4th of July, instead of typical pizza, we had Hamburgers and
Hot-Dogs! YUM! :) So American! There was watermelon and strawberry
shortcake. I spent some time cutting up peppers to help the senior
couples. All the peppers were orange and I remarked how they looked like
Jack-o-lanterns. Before long, with the help of one of the senior
elders, we carved a jack-o-lantern into one of the peppers. So we
celebrated many American holidays all at once :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5384">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5385">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That
was such a fun part of this week, but some parts of this week were a
little stressful. After a couple really weird, not good, and strange
experiences with our landlady, we decided that we needed to move out. So
this week, we (in the few spare moments we had) looked for apartments.
Looking for apartments isn't that fun, although we looked at one today
that had a bathtub literally as big as a swimming pool... And two
bathrooms. And a microwave and a couch. and carpet. It was really nice.
I'll keep you updated on the search, but just pray that we will find one
before too long, I hate that we have to use our time to find an
apartment. We keep praying that the apartment that we move into will
have a landlady that wants to be baptized :) I know that the Lord can
lead us to people that are ready for the gospel even if it is while we
are looking for an apartment. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizH7SetDATYnkkJp8xs1zl9vUaiwCRkMKOHXZnv0gpxfx0vqNli3gr9YrIb5_GdSyvisMPJsYW8USPA8L5Ymj0NHvVGF7rA2eImWd4-Sy8ViDZvC8LJG6B7leIrv8DYbDk1maw5clw_LV5/s1600/DSCN2262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizH7SetDATYnkkJp8xs1zl9vUaiwCRkMKOHXZnv0gpxfx0vqNli3gr9YrIb5_GdSyvisMPJsYW8USPA8L5Ymj0NHvVGF7rA2eImWd4-Sy8ViDZvC8LJG6B7leIrv8DYbDk1maw5clw_LV5/s1600/DSCN2262.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">doing dropbys in beautiful Ukraine </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3m3tgWw6eAu7hULLezKgwLrmKQQe-xlLKFY_g8ysIFMAwIFDnMzInSvoYQHzz032A-97dguliltI5s0_ERBM5SLEv5AbOuskZUVqZxnGRJTC4tZfQZ4YwQMNNNUbAqgIUdiEg0iaaTJHf/s1600/DSCN2264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3m3tgWw6eAu7hULLezKgwLrmKQQe-xlLKFY_g8ysIFMAwIFDnMzInSvoYQHzz032A-97dguliltI5s0_ERBM5SLEv5AbOuskZUVqZxnGRJTC4tZfQZ4YwQMNNNUbAqgIUdiEg0iaaTJHf/s1600/DSCN2264.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We got lost in a cemetery. They are pretty here in Ukraine </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5386">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also this week,
I finally got my Ukrainian Passport back! YAY! That required a trip to
Kyiv, where we stopped at a little cafe to get lunch after 2 hours of
paperwork. This magical little cafe had FLOUR-FREE chocolate cake. Oh my
goodness it was so good :) That was a little blessing :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIHm-DiJgDfQlbMdMvTlUbJWvlzZ_ofeR0TJ0A6-E4s3MNFoawcOzoZ_JVxT_4n257qZe_WaFbrys6IdOMRS558-nzBh4hSE5JJV1Vnxel9Ir0F4kmI5KB_sowBt_R2ov3NzLyI2gEU1b/s1600/DSCN2275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIHm-DiJgDfQlbMdMvTlUbJWvlzZ_ofeR0TJ0A6-E4s3MNFoawcOzoZ_JVxT_4n257qZe_WaFbrys6IdOMRS558-nzBh4hSE5JJV1Vnxel9Ir0F4kmI5KB_sowBt_R2ov3NzLyI2gEU1b/s1600/DSCN2275.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5387" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Flour-free chocolate cake :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5387">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5388">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One
really special tender mercy: Do you remember IRA? From odessa? My
friend! Today I had a special tender mercy when I read my emails. I
read an email from Ira (now Sister Esaulenko). She told me the
experience of how she was set apart to be a missionary today. She told
me how special that was for her and how she has never before felt the
Spirit and the power of the Priesthood so strongly. Ira had a hard time
deciding to serve, because she was worried about leaving her mother.
When she finally decided to go, delay after delay after delay kept her
from receiving a call and leaving when she had planned. Yet again, big
trials came as her mother passed away. But Ira never gave up and now is
going to be a great missionary in L'viv! I'm so grateful for the chance I
had to meet her and to be her friend. I'm so grateful for the
opportunity I had to teach her the temple preparation class. Those
lessons were some of the most spiritual experiences of my mission,
because she was so prepared and ready to learn. I am so excited for her
and the step that she is taking in her life! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5389">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5390">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
then in a especially special tender mercy, I just barely got to talk to
Ira on the phone and tell her I love her and how great she will be!
That was so special for me and one of those special moments where I just
felt so grateful for the chance I have to be on a mission and met these
incredible people :) :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5415">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5416">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love you all! Missions are the best! Keep on, Keeping on! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5391">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404745417631_5414">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sister Ford </span></span></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-14937761685210689062014-06-30T08:02:00.000-07:002014-06-30T08:02:11.964-07:00Mission Advice<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2277">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2510">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Well...I
think that everyone in our family is thinking about the same things
right now, mainly HOW SOON JACOB LEAVES ON HIS MISSION! 9 days! WOW! I'm
so excited! :) I can't believe that he is going and leaving and will be
in Mexico and in the MTC there... wow. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2511">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2512">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So
I have been thinking a lot about my mission and things that I wish that
I would have done different or that I would have known...so that will
be the theme of my email today. But even if you aren't a missionary, or
if you won't ever be a missionary, just remember that "every member is a
missionary" and I'm sure that there will be something here for you :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2513">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2515">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2514">MY ADVICE FOR FUTURE MISSIONARIES :) (cough, cough... Jacob) :) </b></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2516">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2523">
<ul id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2522">
<li id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2521"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Being
a missionary is the best :) Just remember that the mission can for sure
be the best 18 months or 2 years of your life, but it is your choice
:) </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2524">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2526">
<li id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2525"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Related
back to the last point, although sometimes 18 months or two years can
seem like forever, the time that you have to serve is SO SHORT! You
can't waste a minute! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2527">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<ul id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2529">
<li id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2528"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Set goals and plan well. :)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2530">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2532">
<li id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2531"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This one may just be me, but sing together in companionship study everyday. Singing makes missionaries happy! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2534">
<li id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2533"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
The mission is the best time to start good habits. If there is something
that you have always wanted to do (like study the scriptures everyday),
the mission is the best time to start doing those things everyday, and
those habits that you start now will turn in the lifelong habits if you
do them everyday on your mission. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Speaking of habits, I will mention a few: </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2537">
<ul id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2536">
<li id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2535"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Journal
writing. Write about everyday, what happens, good things, funny things,
sad things, miracles, so on and so forth. You will regret it if you
don't have something written about everyday. And plus, it makes writing
letters home easier. </span></span>
</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Exercise. As President Klebingat would
say, "Sweat is weakness leaving the body" Don't be lazy and actually do
some good exercise. Like run :) Or like I did today, play basketball </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Be clean. Do you dishes. Organize yourself.
You can feel the Spirit more strong when your surroundings are clean.
Plus as a missionary, you don't have that much stuff, so there is really
no excuse. :) </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Get enough sleep. Go to bed early and wake
up early. This is a habit that I am trying to set in stone for after my
mission. There is so much that can be done between 8-11 in the morning,
so I think it is better to get to bed early and use that day time
wisely! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Learn how to cook :) </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But back to general advice: </span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2540">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The
best way to learn the language is to speak it. The best way to
understand the language AND the people is to listen. Find a good
balance. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Create a good relationship with the members
of the church. Let them know who you are. Be the awesome missionary that
you always wanted to be around at home. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Take
with you a photo album. Put in there pictures of your family, but also
add pictures of you and friends, hobbies, pets and so on. Have a couple
funny pictures. Share those pictures with the members, so they can get
to know you. Ask to see their pictures too! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2539">
<li id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2538"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">You
can't love the Lord if you don't love His rules. You can't love your
mission if you don't love the mission rules. Learn to love your mission
rules and be exactly obedient. Just be obedient because you have too, be
obedient because you want too! Always try to be more exactly obedient!
And be obedient even and especially if everyone around you isn't
obedient! Be the example</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">ALWAYS have a back up plan. Because if you don't your first plan will always fall through. like clockwork... </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Don't
be afraid to love the people. LOVE them with all your heart. Let them
know that you love them. Love is the secret (one of them) to missionary
work! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Missionaries are examples to people all the
time. Remember that you are an example to everyone around you. Live
worthy of their trust! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Count your
blessings daily! Be thankful and don't complain! There is a miracle
everyday, if you can just see it! Look for the little happy things
every day</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love the food. Enjoy trying new things, even if they are gross! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">You determine your destiny! Take the high road and work hard and choose to be happy and successful! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love conferences, love the temple, love the
general authorities of the church. First off, that sets a good example
to others, second off, seriously, for missionaries, zone conference,
mission conference and especially general conference are like holidays
and same with going to the temple and having meetings with any church
leaders. Don't forget how big of a blessing those are :) </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Don't be upset by the small things! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Take LOTS of pictures! And take pictures with everyone! You don't want to forget! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bring an English dictionary. People that are learning English will know random words that you don't know. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Remember that all you have to do is try your
best. Do your best and put the trust in Him! You aren't perfect, but he
is! He has all power! And together with him, we can be all powerful!
The Lord qualifies those whom he calls! And he has called us! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Be yourself! The Lord called YOU! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Play sports :) With members, investigators, missionaries! Sports are the best! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Remember
that you represent Jesus Christ. Remember that it is really not about
you, but all about who you represent! Let people come to know CHRIST!
You represent him in all that you do!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Don't be afraid to INVITE! Be bold. An
invitation born out of love can't offend anyone! Let them know that you
care by inviting them to change, act, and repent! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Learn of Christ and his Atonement and how it can strengthen and empower you! (See The Enabling Power of the Atonement)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Speaking
of the last point, my testimony of this has really grown in the last
few weeks of this. I remember that I was really worried when the doctor
asked me to stop eating gluten. I was worried about all that I wouldn't
be able to eat. So I prayed for strength to continue on and I have seen
and felt that strength. The Lord didn't take away the intolerance that I
have been having to gluten, but he did strengthen my will power. He has
helped me so that I don't desire or feel sad about not being able to
eat those foods that I miss. He has helped me learn to love even more
fruits and veggies and rice! And he has blessed me to be happy and
healthy so that I can keep doing his work here! He loves us and is
always close to strengthen and help us! </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5acBKi9GoDhmLoloBXg_GqYvFUb1Ifw2WkMTt6c6hxJyfcy5DZ1DFyhoKSgA1fMRw4WL5pZ6Nv2MF4wZtS05D5Q4Kjk6V8Nmm-whPkj9P_V8R0yXbYHUN-6GtIzr1hbvRuc63A8835YAY/s1600/DSCN0623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5acBKi9GoDhmLoloBXg_GqYvFUb1Ifw2WkMTt6c6hxJyfcy5DZ1DFyhoKSgA1fMRw4WL5pZ6Nv2MF4wZtS05D5Q4Kjk6V8Nmm-whPkj9P_V8R0yXbYHUN-6GtIzr1hbvRuc63A8835YAY/s1600/DSCN0623.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">mission picture last with klebingats :) </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My week was good! President Packer flew in! We
had a taco party! We made milkshakes with our recent convert! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWeflYy6K2Vv4Qv9fgopfuuq8eTeleVQouTT9Dy1okau6zVB53hPILqZU74hVbM3vutTEldfEOQKm3Ev6Wn5ZLXfWIoa4ZY2ivLw0x0G6EOGtzOHHAGgrRMkkEM5n0TfHcsTdLUDk6C73/s1600/DSCN2244.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWeflYy6K2Vv4Qv9fgopfuuq8eTeleVQouTT9Dy1okau6zVB53hPILqZU74hVbM3vutTEldfEOQKm3Ev6Wn5ZLXfWIoa4ZY2ivLw0x0G6EOGtzOHHAGgrRMkkEM5n0TfHcsTdLUDk6C73/s1600/DSCN2244.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Making milkshakes with Kingsley</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We found a
new investigator and she tried to set us up with her neighbors... Oh
missionary life :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-gDaeBInuOl9FhmbTb6KB-y3ADoIWpZJs3Nkc_nW1Pwretp7snrBcCzKRx0vRGaxp6eC-pxCkONvEWIP1oJgiVFPy0ZS9iNNTVwAdbdmbyhLjLifRylUW_Lobuhq8le88GQiBsTw4NsO/s1600/DSCN2260.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-gDaeBInuOl9FhmbTb6KB-y3ADoIWpZJs3Nkc_nW1Pwretp7snrBcCzKRx0vRGaxp6eC-pxCkONvEWIP1oJgiVFPy0ZS9iNNTVwAdbdmbyhLjLifRylUW_Lobuhq8le88GQiBsTw4NsO/s1600/DSCN2260.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes...it is too hard to play ping-pong standing up :) </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a good 4th of July! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2560">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2559">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I LOVE YOU ALL! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2558">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1404139928068_2561">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWeflYy6K2Vv4Qv9fgopfuuq8eTeleVQouTT9Dy1okau6zVB53hPILqZU74hVbM3vutTEldfEOQKm3Ev6Wn5ZLXfWIoa4ZY2ivLw0x0G6EOGtzOHHAGgrRMkkEM5n0TfHcsTdLUDk6C73/s1600/DSCN2244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-gDaeBInuOl9FhmbTb6KB-y3ADoIWpZJs3Nkc_nW1Pwretp7snrBcCzKRx0vRGaxp6eC-pxCkONvEWIP1oJgiVFPy0ZS9iNNTVwAdbdmbyhLjLifRylUW_Lobuhq8le88GQiBsTw4NsO/s1600/DSCN2260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5acBKi9GoDhmLoloBXg_GqYvFUb1Ifw2WkMTt6c6hxJyfcy5DZ1DFyhoKSgA1fMRw4WL5pZ6Nv2MF4wZtS05D5Q4Kjk6V8Nmm-whPkj9P_V8R0yXbYHUN-6GtIzr1hbvRuc63A8835YAY/s1600/DSCN0623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-82981786827314082672014-06-23T08:37:00.004-07:002014-06-23T08:39:13.523-07:00Goodbye President Klebingat!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_2135">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">How
is everyone doing? I'm doing good! Summer is so beautiful here in Kyiv!
It hasn't been too hot, for which I am very grateful! But it is
beautiful! Everyone is having a lot of success in their garden's so
everyone keeps giving us lots and lots of yummy fruit! I love it :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_2134">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This week was
really good, but sad! On Saturday, we had a conference with our whole
mission to say goodbye to the Klebingats. It was such a great meeting!
We talked about a lot of different things, including dating, education,
children, the world...basically all of his last advice for us! It was
really sad to realize that they won't be our mission president and
family anymore, but he also helped us get really excited for the
Packers, who fly in on Saturday. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMohJH-Jk33TpRZUVj4i_FaQcoog0tD6gOYxSfVd1n56e_gLzvBN8J1WGb4sA7u_POrAbT0UAWkRitxIFgcRTRlwRt8PWqIe0ziIOBk-oVQyWrH0GZ4FiVxZ_IYaA5eAyvYZ-5gPimteE/s1600/DSCN2234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMohJH-Jk33TpRZUVj4i_FaQcoog0tD6gOYxSfVd1n56e_gLzvBN8J1WGb4sA7u_POrAbT0UAWkRitxIFgcRTRlwRt8PWqIe0ziIOBk-oVQyWrH0GZ4FiVxZ_IYaA5eAyvYZ-5gPimteE/s1600/DSCN2234.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8Kc4F7hLeU8iMteTpn4e8fAfCa7TIDkwNivviF2fEIOmf-016xnVih2sh2bTszbayK4TLWYYHHZW9beJBll0bg20yZUK5YOdc60mLtubxNV5BxpCYKWF_os9ad9r4gGFkyvarVuMQvA5/s1600/DSCN2235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8Kc4F7hLeU8iMteTpn4e8fAfCa7TIDkwNivviF2fEIOmf-016xnVih2sh2bTszbayK4TLWYYHHZW9beJBll0bg20yZUK5YOdc60mLtubxNV5BxpCYKWF_os9ad9r4gGFkyvarVuMQvA5/s1600/DSCN2235.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8G8OkkMagOpAC3cucIsdtQoAoCC2BzBe69BG_kUSPbnmQzFS_LuVZi9XpJqalhmZVosJ4x-KkDYmS-_l7jAS0j65ATLEBPKUGYo2ygJRBFGfe3j5RElABqhrpkFn7ZygQSssBWENTa4up/s1600/DSCN2236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8G8OkkMagOpAC3cucIsdtQoAoCC2BzBe69BG_kUSPbnmQzFS_LuVZi9XpJqalhmZVosJ4x-KkDYmS-_l7jAS0j65ATLEBPKUGYo2ygJRBFGfe3j5RElABqhrpkFn7ZygQSssBWENTa4up/s1600/DSCN2236.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_2133">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_1962">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm
so grateful for President Klebingat and everything that I have learned
from him and his family. He has an amazing testimony and he is such a
great example of diligence and hard work. I am so excited that he is a
70 because that means that he will be in Utah every conference and every
summer! So yeah, I can't wait for that :) Also I'm super excited to see
Katja at BYU! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_2996">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_2997">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">At
our conference we talked a lot about being strong and standing and
being an example, especially in an ever changing world. It was so good!
It is so important to have the faith to follow the prophet, even if the
world doesn't agree with what he says. Especially when the world doesn't
agree with what he says. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The conference was also really great because all of
the sisters from our MTC group were there! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvF52wmLIuaJfZ5I-uQC-GerEyHtgrAivjffLNuBYQv5wHkpFk-iBahbCCx9WlH1QKfi_gdnTXZL6TKg_RYM0oxdEDRm2P5zoNLdpPa5S3z_LOEiM-FvVUnlmWopPFwKo-Ijc0kIHRXHOB/s1600/DSCN2214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3H_t60WUhE86x5KcIhyphenhyphenvLb1zCQ0MFE0SchD_siQvX436nWAKxzglYtceHUDWQmURvqcuVRF34RSy9pC83z-yneaF-8lSJ06-bXn0c_XgWq6frYU9Ozvi8NqK2J__NN-8R0V8cfjzLiSn/s1600/DSCN2232.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yay! We got to talk to and
see all of them and it was awesome! It is crazy to see how much they
have all grown and to see how we are all teaching the gospel and helping
so many people come to Christ! wow! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3022">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_2998">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">At
the conference, we took one final mission picture, and we all said
goodbye. There was a lot of tears as we hugged President and Sister
Klebingat and Katja and Daniel and Alex goodbye. We will miss them! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvF52wmLIuaJfZ5I-uQC-GerEyHtgrAivjffLNuBYQv5wHkpFk-iBahbCCx9WlH1QKfi_gdnTXZL6TKg_RYM0oxdEDRm2P5zoNLdpPa5S3z_LOEiM-FvVUnlmWopPFwKo-Ijc0kIHRXHOB/s1600/DSCN2214.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_2998" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I found a hedgehog!</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_2998">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUimOyjFEnh8Mw7psJjx3aKB8hJ6KOD2LOtThyphenhyphenKOts11QfY7k3m1zEoDD4VwCewSp8b_5OH526P4IV0ehJpWEvL7B0dlr6QLNmJzMFnl7RUrUPzS98sOfWFXyLsEkC8GqQv9Yiqrs0x-f/s1600/DSCN2216.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This week, we also had the opportunity to do a lot
of service for members in our branch! Service is so much fun and it made
me so happy! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3021">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We
made Primary posters for the Primary president to help them during
singing time! That is some of my favorite service because I get to be so
creative. We made a singing time zoo and a clothesline and a flip chart
for a song, it was a lot of fun! :) Our Primary president was so
relieved and grateful for the help, she almost started crying! I put a
dinosaur in my zoo... hehe ;) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3020">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3019">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We
also went and did service for the Clark family this week! yay! we
picked Cherries and berries and it was a lot of fun! I was on exchanges
for that day, so I took Sister Welling with me and it was a lot of fun!
The Clark's paperwork is getting closer and closer to being done, so I
am so excited to see them in America :) yay! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_Y_obirtugvqPk3AGSslshHCWv88EhCd3TXB_hP0nlrRfx_E9eLAPIEqUYGywHbC4TZ8nqP4JNCuVFRb2k9nmFWWY8LtynTXft79Mx2KHs_8JDOs14LVxO4OYQs4cJ-YYrdNYNpTF4wD/s1600/DSCN2229.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3018" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Ukraine pride</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3018" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3018">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This week our
branch president got married! We didn't have time to go to the wedding,
but I hear it was cute! But we did help them out a lot! We helped them
stuff walnut cookies and we made four cakes and we helped cut some grass
and decorate and some things. It reminded me a lot of wedding catering
that I did in the past. Sveta (the mom) was so cute and was asking us
about what we want for our weddings and such. It was so cool to see a
new family start and to see them be sealed in the temple! President
Anton's wife, Katja is super cute and nice! At church on Sunday, she
gave us bananas. Nice girl!! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3017">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3016">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We
also helped a grandma in our ward do some indexing. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzz_X6CwuqFEn4iaGOFfLV9tdJNk858wl7iZupPrkdeGmizMG_-DbdDfnUCFWgo1iQ3KFb6Y0rGhL02M2Bwsnd6XmGXiS6d5QI99f4FTVJIan7bcyKiubJnWUk_ZGpB28zisWcaklMEzTX/s1600/RSCN2209.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3016">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3016">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wow. Hard work. But
she was determined to do it! I'm not sure how much of a help I was
because I don't read old Russian, but I think I helped a little bit... I
hope so anyways :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy5vA3Au8CeSwUTBslQlyr6q8sWjT68L_8sJDqrhkFgAKaktQU5dG_iJIFS2qEsRHwrj0uwU8nOz3d5ud2j-1A0uupemERh3-WQ1RZn23Ok9OqGM0-brPn25HI9Apg4cH-QY1kD7kS_LM/s1600/DSCN2204.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3014" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Fun picture from the baptism yesterday!</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3014">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3014">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I
love serving and helping others! It is so true that "when you are in
the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your
God" (Mosiah 2:17) And on top of that, I think it is impossible to be
sad when you are serving someone else :) So if you ever are having a bad
day, just find someone else to serve and I know your day will get
better :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3013">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3012">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you all! Enjoy the summer! Go swimming and enjoy the outdoors! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403536530283_3011">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-28687047528977318332014-06-16T06:24:00.000-07:002014-06-16T06:24:02.452-07:00Just Keep Swimming!<span class="more_recp" data-action="more" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63496"></span> <span class="loader"></span> <br />
<div class="loz">
</div>
<div class="thread-info">
<span class="thread-date"> <span class="short" title="Mon, Jun 16, 2014 at 7:44 AM"><span class="ampm"><br /></span></span> </span> </div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><div class="thread-body" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_62829">
<div class="body undoreset" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63437">
<div id="yiv6598886601">
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63436">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63499">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63501">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">You know the saying, "When it rains, it pours". That was this week, literally and figuratively. We got poured on this week. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63435">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In
the literal aspect of things, there was a couple days this week, where
it would rain and downpour and then stop and then start again. It was
impossible to predict! A complete sunny day would turn into a rain pour
within 10 minutes. Ukraine... It also had a funny habit of pouring rain
whenever we were outside, walking, with no umbrella. It was fun! I love
the rain! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63439">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63441">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But figuratively, let me try and paint this picture of this week: </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63443">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63445">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our
really golden potential investigator totally rejected our offer to
learn about the gospel, our golden family has been avoiding us to no
end, our cute progressing investigator, in the middle of a great lesson
where she asked about baptism, suddenly announced her plans to vacation
in Crimea for a month. So our teaching pool has basically shrunk to
nothing. But we will find more! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63493">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This week, on
Thursday night, our landlady called, and told us that they are going to
remodel our apartment and she had a replacement apartment for us to move
into. But we had to move out by Saturday. I'm not sure that is legal,
but in Ukraine, anything goes... So we quickly packed up all of our
stuff, and all of the random missionary stuff and on Saturday, the
elders helped us as we moved. The new apartment was right down the
street, which was nice. As far as this temporary apartment, we are
praying that it will only be temporary. It is old and has some fun
quirks. Again no hot water, and our stove and oven are an adventure. Our
beds... I don't even think you can call them beds. But This morning we
unpacked and cleaned. I hung up all my cards and quotes and you know
what, I think it will be okay. At least we have a roof to keep all of
the rain out :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I know last week, I said that I was feeling better.
Yeah... not really true. I ended up visiting the doctors a few times
this week. I think I have had enough of Ukrainian doctors, where most
things are pretty normal, but every once in a while, they say or do
something, and you are like, "really?" But this doctor place was super
nice and the doctor spoke english (YES!) and so that was an adventure.
None of the tests that the doctors have done have found anything, but
they think that it is a gluten intolerance. So that will be an
adventure, especially since my mission food staples are bread and pasta.
We will have to get creative :) But not going to lie, a few self-pity
tears have been shed. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63492">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So yeah, I
could keep going and mention a couple other things, but I think you get
the picture :) But moral of the store, This week has been hard for me.
Really hard. Today I read a conference talk from President Monson, and
part of it really comforted me. He said:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63491">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Our Heavenly
Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and
grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through
which we must pass. We know that there are times when we will experience
heartbreaking sorrow, when we will grieve, and when we maybe tested to
our limits. However, such difficulties allow us to change for the
better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches
us,and to become something different from what we were—better than we
were, more understanding than we were, more empathetic than we were,with
stronger testimonies than we had before."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63489">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So I know,
that God is just helping me to grow. He is shaping me into the person
that he wants me to be! And it is hard sometimes, but it is good! I can
so clearly see the growth that I am making and the lessons I am learning
and that is a huge blessing in my life! So although, things are hard,
I'm just going to keep on swimming through the rainstorms. And like
President Uchtdorf has said, I'm not going to wait for the rainbows
without taking the time to enjoy the rain! That's so true, I've seen so
many blessings this week! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">For example:</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our branch
president is getting married this week! I consider it a blessing that
the relief society asked us to help them prepare. I love weddings :) </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our elders had a baptism, the husband of a member. I love seeing the gospel bless the lives of other people! </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I had so many emails to read this week! thanks everyone for the love! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63455">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And most of
all, I've learned that there is always a reason for a smile and a laugh.
Last night, in a huge tender mercy, Sister Larcabal and I found a book
of Bible Jokes. For example:</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63488">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63487">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Who is the fastest runner in the whole Bible? </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63486">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Adam, he was the very first in the Human race. </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63484">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63483">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">hehehe. So we laughed at those for a long time last night! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63482">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63481">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So everything is looking up!
Pray for Ukraine! :) I love you all! Yesterday marked 4 months until I
am home! I can't believe how fast time is flying! Scary! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63479">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63478">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63476">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63475">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63467">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">PS- Funny Story, This week we were on the computers and noticed that there was a new Mormon Message. I watched it (<a href="http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3609934299001" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63474" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3609934299001</a>)
and then it got to a point where they showed a picture of this man
named Walter, who was dead. I was watching it and got so confused,
because Walter looked just like my GRANDPA! I must of watched it 3-4
times, trying to figure out if maybe my grandpa had a long lost twin, if
I had been super forgetful during my mission, or if maybe my grandpa
was Walter. I could not figure it out for the life of me! Thankfully,
the problem was solved today when grandma emailed me and told me that
Grandpa had played a role in the new mormon message! Well, grandpa, you
did a great job :) I loved it! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63468">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402890066061_63470">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sorry also, I took pictures this week, but forgot my camera at home. :( </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-68075014466972541362014-06-11T18:02:00.000-07:002014-06-11T18:02:12.352-07:00 Happy Tuesday!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends, </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2528">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">How is everyone doing? Is everyone enjoying the summer? Can you believe that it is already June?</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_1926">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_1929">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
past week it really started to feel like summer here! I love it! It is
beautiful and warm and everyone is going on picnics and having fun! The
little lake by our house has turned into a swimming pool for all the
little boys and every once in a while I see them diving in the water
from the bridge, which alerts my lifeguard senses because the water
isn't more then a meter deep and there are rocks and stuff in the
bottom. So if I end up jumping in to save some drowning little kid...
that would be quite an adventure. haha. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2060">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The weather and
the people out and about has reminded me a lot of my first few weeks in
Odessa and here in Ukraine! I remember this hot, humid weather, and it
is bringing back a lot of good memories of those beginning transfers! I
love the summers in Ukraine, everything is so green and beautiful! I
didn't realize how blessed I was last summer to be in an apartment with
air conditioning and screens on the windows and hot water.. Because now
we don't have any of those. It is a lot like camping, so that is fun :)
We've started boiling water so that we can at least have a little bit of
hot water when we shower! Oh adventures of a missionary in Ukraine..
:) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2196">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This week was
pretty uneventful. I really was sick for most of the week, so that was
no fun! I still am, but slowly getting better. I spent a lot of time
sleeping. and eating the food that Sister Larcabal made. She loves to
experiment in the kitchen and in our Branch Newsletter her first week
here, she wrote, "I love to cook and experiment in the kitchen. Then I
make Sister Ford try what I made. Sister Ford is very brave". So now
whenever we talk with any members, they reference to her cooking
attempts and my bravery, which is funny. But she really did experiment
this week. Most of it was really good. She made some sort of sweet and
sour chicken with peaches and Ramen noodles... and some gyros with
strawberry yogurt and pepperoni. So that was fun this last week. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2146">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2147">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I've
had a lot of time to think this last week, while I was sick, and I
decided that missions are way to short. As I look back on this last 14
months, I feel like I have only been gone for about 3 and like I should
still have more than a year to be here in Ukraine. So when I realize how
short of time I have left and how long I have actually been here, it
makes me so sad. Especially being stuck inside, sick. But it has been
really good motivation to work my hardest all the time and to not waste
any time, because it is so short! Sister Larcabal and I, together with
the elders in our district, have decided to talk only in Russian, after
some teaching from President came out. We want to be the best in Russian
that we can and the time where we can talk all day, every day in
Russian, is extremely short! So if my english seems extra bad, that is
why :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2518">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2517">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yesterday
was a national holiday in Ukraine, and so our branch had a picnic! It
was so fun! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0bJox2A5aKKFWaK1TqnXvTwVeia5Ir-K1ZgFtnWpZVLge45netpXPvdIVNwVgTsZtT_O9Bxd6uTYMdbcR1E1Q78-VFrw86Cc6b15e3UvHEWoeJamMPgZ_FTB9lmvVSwxkRiAInri7CU1/s1600/DSCN2190.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0bJox2A5aKKFWaK1TqnXvTwVeia5Ir-K1ZgFtnWpZVLge45netpXPvdIVNwVgTsZtT_O9Bxd6uTYMdbcR1E1Q78-VFrw86Cc6b15e3UvHEWoeJamMPgZ_FTB9lmvVSwxkRiAInri7CU1/s1600/DSCN2190.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2517" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">playing games at the picnic</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2517">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2517">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We played games, and talked and ate some Plove (chicken and
carrots and rice) that was coooked over a fire. It was so fun! I was
grateful especially for the chance to meet and spend time with the young
women. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP84Hy3GM-HUE74IpKWSsDeiMYT_wDH5o2lL1lIue0V6ijnLJikcokBadENiZwSNkH_4gNksZPvx0Iw8YKtxDKftd01gR_SEtoYBg3EWj5ozwAq0kHNbHindOCeyf4F0XJOHZq6_SWCI5w/s1600/DSCN2189.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP84Hy3GM-HUE74IpKWSsDeiMYT_wDH5o2lL1lIue0V6ijnLJikcokBadENiZwSNkH_4gNksZPvx0Iw8YKtxDKftd01gR_SEtoYBg3EWj5ozwAq0kHNbHindOCeyf4F0XJOHZq6_SWCI5w/s1600/DSCN2189.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2517" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">picking and eating wild cherries from the forest :) </span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2517" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2517">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We took a break from the forest and went to buy ice cream with
them and it was just so fun! They are great girls and examples to the
youth here! One of them, just got her mission call, to TEMPLE SQUARE!
yay! She is going to do so good there and I can visit her! President
Klebingat's son also got his mission call, to the Baltic Mission,
Russian Speaking! After being there last week, he is going to enjoy
serving there :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2516">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This coming
week, we have an appointment with a potential FAMILY! Oh, that is so
rare here and we are so excited! :) I can't wait to let you know how
that goes :) Also, we have transfers this week, but basically everything
is staying the same. We are being joined in our district by Elder Bolt,
which will be super fun! Elder Roggow is going down to Odessa, so we
said goodbye to him today. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AXljnVIu3aNO6ZRaiQAmzV0h4qNeUghRiUsjR2xyy1lti9em5-EiHysk2lrVDtT5rcQc_1qLT5UmCfl-56gBpZ1v41tLCwuUeQAG-QZ_2ZRtY3iAeHQ3dx0yIHzdI6NQ81zK5C_elo2R/s1600/DSCN2192.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AXljnVIu3aNO6ZRaiQAmzV0h4qNeUghRiUsjR2xyy1lti9em5-EiHysk2lrVDtT5rcQc_1qLT5UmCfl-56gBpZ1v41tLCwuUeQAG-QZ_2ZRtY3iAeHQ3dx0yIHzdI6NQ81zK5C_elo2R/s1600/DSCN2192.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2516" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">District meeting pictures</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2516" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2516">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yesterday was his birthday, so we ate some
cake and it was really fun! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2515">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2514">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you all! I hope everything is happy there :) Enjoy the summer! Go swimming :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2513">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1402533871154_2418">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-3379745248782173512014-06-03T13:35:00.004-07:002014-06-03T13:35:45.464-07:00I am the Luckiest!!!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends,</span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3766">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3765">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Every other missionary from my mission that I have seen since coming back from Ukraine has told me that they hate me... </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3764">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3763">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">and you know what?? </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3762">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3761">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I can't blame them! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3760">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3624">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I
just had the most miraculous week of my life with some very special
experiences, the highlight probably being meeting and talking with Elder
Bednar... yes, Elder David A. Bednar, like of the quorum of the 12
apostles. It was amazing! But let me start from the beginning! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsqJmMU2nCdqUGMihG73r_JBkEHwSeKhCJRGkcskMxSKncZjBebRp4THjwHUNG-K689I-1jXSDbW9TzBWmNOxQXqz9DOFHe2J2t_Fdn7Fq2SZ66qxRPLcjAnq6t9V5YpWvXbE7NMMwW00/s1600/DSCN2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3957">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3958">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So
last Monday, Sister Hunt and Robertson and I went to the service center
and started our crazy visa trip. We filled out some paperwork and then a
taxi took us to the airport. At the airport, we were eating some food
when we looked around and to our surprise saw 3 elders from another
mission in Ukraine! They had been the MTC with us so it was so good to
see them again, and especially to learn that we would be going to Latvia
together! It was fun to see what great elders they had become and kind
of feel like Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah, This is what they
said, "Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren and what did add
more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and
they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth...and when they
taught, they taught with power and authority of God" (Alma 17:2-3). So I
feel like I could say that, "[Sister Ford] did rejoice exceedingly to
see [her MTC friends] and what did add more to [her] joy, they were
still [her friends] in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the
knowledge of the truth...and when they taught, they taught with power
and authority of God". So we took the journey with them! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3959">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3960">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So
all together, we flew to Estonia (such a beautiful country) and while
there, ate at Subway! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM8s5snH3OzJK2vFfl7C61r3rLL5pctbEwqGFX1-NfuwhaqpkXKvKx_NcB-u1vUfK773545sgCp8qAAu_ueI-deDASFpLmN8e4Eoj-9_wAjZ72ZJ5wIlpLwczzl2EfOZzBPYuVGyBMsCs/s1600/DSCN2123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM8s5snH3OzJK2vFfl7C61r3rLL5pctbEwqGFX1-NfuwhaqpkXKvKx_NcB-u1vUfK773545sgCp8qAAu_ueI-deDASFpLmN8e4Eoj-9_wAjZ72ZJ5wIlpLwczzl2EfOZzBPYuVGyBMsCs/s1600/DSCN2123.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3960" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Subway in Estonia </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3960" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3960" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekVj_PJFLjRoHNZkfY6YACU6YpQTZbGXhkxlQ47ECA6EHklq8RFyQ79gz4GNLNsQZvqnbZre_sgxgqbUQlMj-VE-JlwPq8R9oLnQLSt64L3lsVy0gxwtBUGeYd2lxgeKWwSRhZltGs5Cf/s1600/DSCN2128.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekVj_PJFLjRoHNZkfY6YACU6YpQTZbGXhkxlQ47ECA6EHklq8RFyQ79gz4GNLNsQZvqnbZre_sgxgqbUQlMj-VE-JlwPq8R9oLnQLSt64L3lsVy0gxwtBUGeYd2lxgeKWwSRhZltGs5Cf/s1600/DSCN2128.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3960" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> a view from the Airport</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3960" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3960">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yum! They don't have those here in Ukraine so we
all splurged on footlongs. yum! Then after a few hours there, we flew to
Latvia! I must admit, I had some culture shock on arriving to Latvia. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsqJmMU2nCdqUGMihG73r_JBkEHwSeKhCJRGkcskMxSKncZjBebRp4THjwHUNG-K689I-1jXSDbW9TzBWmNOxQXqz9DOFHe2J2t_Fdn7Fq2SZ66qxRPLcjAnq6t9V5YpWvXbE7NMMwW00/s1600/DSCN2152.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsqJmMU2nCdqUGMihG73r_JBkEHwSeKhCJRGkcskMxSKncZjBebRp4THjwHUNG-K689I-1jXSDbW9TzBWmNOxQXqz9DOFHe2J2t_Fdn7Fq2SZ66qxRPLcjAnq6t9V5YpWvXbE7NMMwW00/s1600/DSCN2152.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3960">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> This is a famous statue in Riga</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3960">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Everything was so clean and beautiful and I just didn't even know what
to do! And everyone spoke english! Weird... I don't know what I am going
to do when I get to America! I think I need to stay here forever! :) We
got there late at night and so all three of us from Kyiv crashed with
some Russian sisters there! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAK-R7UgNcBZ9yO7uo7qzn6ut88nIPP0Ejm0cgXrljSaDkrXLSqa5RB_hmtdqsJJOTsUpKkjufRNRlkfyUMEhMv9-nVM6oWM7ED4YlV1lL9NOB2BuvZ1PUdFgh5aYpBMLxTUViAbZe2UtE/s1600/DSCN2156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAK-R7UgNcBZ9yO7uo7qzn6ut88nIPP0Ejm0cgXrljSaDkrXLSqa5RB_hmtdqsJJOTsUpKkjufRNRlkfyUMEhMv9-nVM6oWM7ED4YlV1lL9NOB2BuvZ1PUdFgh5aYpBMLxTUViAbZe2UtE/s1600/DSCN2156.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">gray peas, traditional latvian food! </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57gnOE3ujz2W4xGS4wIUWelzSTf1LwOnsUzQVQ37Zy0wW1OUNjemDrVemZ3S_5i3O9VVJ_NzytC-KsYzRnzeSm28YJyne4XcAY7Zpe8-Bn_0i-W4Irm2OdKeItdRkBcUWWCUguNsWTfKl/s1600/DSCN2165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57gnOE3ujz2W4xGS4wIUWelzSTf1LwOnsUzQVQ37Zy0wW1OUNjemDrVemZ3S_5i3O9VVJ_NzytC-KsYzRnzeSm28YJyne4XcAY7Zpe8-Bn_0i-W4Irm2OdKeItdRkBcUWWCUguNsWTfKl/s1600/DSCN2165.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I made some stuffed peppers like a boss.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eF9WsChBGmWpUlXI69uzU2-P3WXBHmveA72KIn7EN0Sk38kdPrdEVn4hImRKScxZAnWGvmAG7ymUkFnBTc3aOUZ3ksABvVFEpig0P9YlpR_JKfaZbultljK4YpZKsVy5zNg-GCYkdr7D/s1600/DSCN2130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eF9WsChBGmWpUlXI69uzU2-P3WXBHmveA72KIn7EN0Sk38kdPrdEVn4hImRKScxZAnWGvmAG7ymUkFnBTc3aOUZ3ksABvVFEpig0P9YlpR_JKfaZbultljK4YpZKsVy5zNg-GCYkdr7D/s1600/DSCN2130.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3961" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some yummy desserts in Latvia </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3961" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3985">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The
first night there, we found out that Elder Bednar was coming to Latvia,
the day after we were leaving. So that was a bummer because originally,
he was planning on coming to Ukraine. So it was sad because now we were
missing him 2 times. So we decided that we would pray to see him and
somehow still be there. It was a weird prayer though because we were
also praying that nothing would go wrong with our visas and that
everything would be ok. So we were really praying for a miracle! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3984">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The next few
days were filled with time at the Embassy, studying, eating yummy
Latvian food and enjoying the culture of a different mission! The Baltic
mission is amazing and I learned so much there! After the first night, I
was assigned to be with a different sister, Sister Mitton.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNIpvlsfqCXWBriHEWI0lDAuHOWABRfgZ6ctVKgIShAciubqSXKiWPkhDso62SfcduayOF7LBNJ4dRElglKuqJzc5qIJBYIwfbmFnJ-oY_gBEuoAl5rKGIH7nxJ2v7yVvWVLJR_W9CzO9/s1600/DSCN2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3984">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> She is from
Utah and is a Latvian-speaking sister. So we were what is called a
"zebra companionship" which means that we just mixed Latvian and
Russian. Which sound nothing alike. So basically, whenever anyone was
talking Latvian, I was completely lost. So I spent some time with her in
an area called Imonta, in Riga. We had some lessons, did some drop bys,
and contacted through some beautiful forests. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4ZL9Z4Rum6G0xNU7cvIU3nbKXyG2ZthUtPBjTAmYTImBNq5CM-oPVHBhSyp6VFbdWgB-Xe7-hO7JO3MtsH_dMIsh5cs_nZzyjIIVlR6_fJUa9rxQBfTSCg3Q1HskCoBY5IaU9ZZb0hRk/s1600/DSCN2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4ZL9Z4Rum6G0xNU7cvIU3nbKXyG2ZthUtPBjTAmYTImBNq5CM-oPVHBhSyp6VFbdWgB-Xe7-hO7JO3MtsH_dMIsh5cs_nZzyjIIVlR6_fJUa9rxQBfTSCg3Q1HskCoBY5IaU9ZZb0hRk/s1600/DSCN2150.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3984" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> This is me with a Russian and Latvian </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3984" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">book of Mormon! Rocking the zebra! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3984">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3984">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It was a great
experience. Meanwhile, with our visas, we do everything at the Embassy,
and they tell us that we will get them back on Thursday and fly back on
Friday morning. and they bought our tickets. So that meant that we
wouldn't see Elder Bednar, which was a bummer. But I really wanted to
see him, so I keep praying... </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQ-33UWTkXAbKIKspZasFiOHlawfkyrGgG5rXPupgobUWf9Oo1gjRkxNgjJ3bDisJpaLXAy3_PcJA66VtMtXjz6XMLNgiDbijNMdzkaZ92Zvk5qcE3ReR0XS5-fJ-Hf0Vw54OXhJ1-YL1/s1600/DSCN2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQ-33UWTkXAbKIKspZasFiOHlawfkyrGgG5rXPupgobUWf9Oo1gjRkxNgjJ3bDisJpaLXAy3_PcJA66VtMtXjz6XMLNgiDbijNMdzkaZ92Zvk5qcE3ReR0XS5-fJ-Hf0Vw54OXhJ1-YL1/s1600/DSCN2144.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful, isn't it</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufmGeBz6foXha7RfGH7HZiiwkMNgBjqg1t6rFLhmVGZvW0VjZpeK6vBb_nmlO33v3FKqp8RNeddq5IIcygmcy_9FysZ8gtIIXV1YwiEWng7sVXFnU7CegZWdkCQJmmgwAgu6Qb9kUvija/s1600/DSCN2141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufmGeBz6foXha7RfGH7HZiiwkMNgBjqg1t6rFLhmVGZvW0VjZpeK6vBb_nmlO33v3FKqp8RNeddq5IIcygmcy_9FysZ8gtIIXV1YwiEWng7sVXFnU7CegZWdkCQJmmgwAgu6Qb9kUvija/s1600/DSCN2141.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The church in Lativa</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3983">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">On Thursday, we
received our visas back and got our flight plans and everything was
looking good to go home early Friday morning. They had been checked by
the visa clerk and the senior couple and all was good. So then it kinda
sunk in that we probably wouldn't see Elder Bednar. But I was looking at
my new visa, when all of the sudden, I saw that my birthday was wrong!
Like 40 years and a couple of months wrong. So because of that mistake,
when all the other Ukrainian missionaries left on Friday morning, I had
to stay in Riga.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNIpvlsfqCXWBriHEWI0lDAuHOWABRfgZ6ctVKgIShAciubqSXKiWPkhDso62SfcduayOF7LBNJ4dRElglKuqJzc5qIJBYIwfbmFnJ-oY_gBEuoAl5rKGIH7nxJ2v7yVvWVLJR_W9CzO9/s1600/DSCN2154.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNIpvlsfqCXWBriHEWI0lDAuHOWABRfgZ6ctVKgIShAciubqSXKiWPkhDso62SfcduayOF7LBNJ4dRElglKuqJzc5qIJBYIwfbmFnJ-oY_gBEuoAl5rKGIH7nxJ2v7yVvWVLJR_W9CzO9/s1600/DSCN2154.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3983" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This is Sister Mitton, Sister Robertson, Sister Hunt and I. </span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3983" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You may
notice I am on the phone, telling the </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3983" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Assistants that I won't be coming
home yet... haha</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3983" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3983">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I WAS A LONER! I had to get a new visa (so now I had 3
in my passport, but one is completely invalid! It only took a few hours
and by noon on Friday, I was ready to go. But I still was praying to see
Elder Bednar, who was coming Saturday afternoon. So after approval from
President Klebingat (isn't he the best!), I got permission to stay and
came home Sunday morning! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbTQZZkh2rF49jLPbWRhSxZElNdXsTE2QZFyT08WtDGOySm00tqJXX6B4azVttDzBELedOZTUxsB0O4v5skm835mk0wnAfFPUjwFZysWfxju9_tKZr2CJo4sVcg5ZDorOZH1reIbAmzwf/s1600/DSCN2166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbTQZZkh2rF49jLPbWRhSxZElNdXsTE2QZFyT08WtDGOySm00tqJXX6B4azVttDzBELedOZTUxsB0O4v5skm835mk0wnAfFPUjwFZysWfxju9_tKZr2CJo4sVcg5ZDorOZH1reIbAmzwf/s1600/DSCN2166.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is me and sister Mitton and her normal </span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">companion Sister Woodland. I don't know why the </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">lighting is so weird...but yeah... </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3982">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So it was a
miracle and an answer to my prayers because I got to meet and be in a
meeting with Elder Bednar. And you know what? He is truly an apostle of
God and a special witness of Jesus Christ. He holds all of the keys that
have been restored in this dispensation. On Saturday, Elder Bednar met
with Priesthood holders all over the Europe East area through video
conferencing. About 30 minutes after that, he met with all the
missionaries serving in Latvia (and me). That was about 40 missionaries!
And what a special experience that was. He told us that it was the 4th
time he could remember meeting with such a few amount of missionaries
since getting called to the 12. We were able to meet with him and have a
discussion for about 3 and a half hours. Him and his wife are both
amazing people and so good! But despite the calling he has, he is still a
normal person. That was interesting to learn, that he is still human
and funny and nice. He even told us that "his pants still go on one leg
at a time". </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3981">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I learned so
much in this conference we had with him. We learned all about personal
revelation and consistency. We learned that we are representatives of
Jesus Christ. We learned more about study and how to receive answers.
But I think the biggest thing that I learned is that the best way to
learn and to receive answers is through the Holy Ghost. Because Elder
Bednar brought the Spirit in such a powerful way through his teaching,
the Spirit could help each one of us with our individual needs. It was a
miracle! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3980">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3979">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">At
the end of the meeting, I got a very special opportunity to shake his
hand. When I shook his hand, I told him that I wasn't a missionary from
the Baltic mission, I was from the Ukraine Kyiv mission. And I asked him
if there was anything I could share with the members and missionaries
there. And, he took the time to give me a specific message for the
people here. To tell them that this work is true and then he told me
that it is my responsibility to take what I learned in our meeting, and
help the missionaries and members around me learn the same things. Quite
a commitment, Isn't it??? I was able to talk to him, and it was so
special because the whole time we talked, he just looked me right in the
eyes, and we were still shaking hands and I could just feel his love. I
could feel it for the people of Ukraine, for the missionaries of
Ukraine and I could especially feel it for me. It was an answer to my
prayers and a miracle. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3978">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3977">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So
after that amazing opportunity, I said goodbye to the beautiful land of
Latvia, and SOLO-ed a trip home. That was strange. Talk about 2 taxi
rides, 3 hours in an airport, 2 hours on a plane, and traveling all over
Eastern Europe... BY MYSELF! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekVj_PJFLjRoHNZkfY6YACU6YpQTZbGXhkxlQ47ECA6EHklq8RFyQ79gz4GNLNsQZvqnbZre_sgxgqbUQlMj-VE-JlwPq8R9oLnQLSt64L3lsVy0gxwtBUGeYd2lxgeKWwSRhZltGs5Cf/s1600/DSCN2128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3977">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3977">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">it was my first time by myself in the real
world in 14 months. And I didn't like it. I'm going to miss my
companion when I get home! But the good news is, I made it! I finally
made it back to my area last night and I'm excited to be back! I'm
excited to work extra hard now and to take what I learned from the
Baltic missionaries and from Elder Bednar and become a much better
missionary! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3976">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3975">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
church is true! I love being a missionary! I love our Prophet and the
Apostles and can testify that they are called of God! They aren't just
big faces that we see on the TV at conference, they are men that have
dedicated their lives to the service of God. They have been given real
power from God, and trust me, I know, that power is visible when you see
them. I'm just the luckiest sister in the world! I have been thinking a
lot, "why me? Why did I get to be the one missionary from Ukraine, who,
through a mistake happened to be in Latvia to meet an apostle?" and
although I don't know that answer, I do know that I have a loving
Heavenly Father, who hears and answers my prayers. I'm grateful for that
knowledge! I love this church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's so great :) </span></span>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3974">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you all! Make good choices! Share the gospel, because it's true! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3973">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3972">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3971">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3970">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">PS-
Sorry there aren't any pictures of Elder Bednar... not really
allowed... But he looks just like he does on the tv and in the pictures,
but he is shorter than I thought and tanner. But other than that, just
imagine me meeting the man from the pictures and that's him! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401714629409_3969">
<br /></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-78248140732530729842014-05-31T16:46:00.002-07:002014-06-03T14:01:08.332-07:00Where in the world is Sister Ford??<div class="body undoreset" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3495">
<div id="yiv7442292675">
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3494">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and friends and everyone! </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3783">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3782">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy
Memorial Day! Yay! Although I didn't even think about that until just
now. I hope everyone is BBQ-ing and doing all that fun summer stuff! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3781">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRp7IpMdVbIfgB07R-S5DlgTR_4MfS0aFwr1-ZzMIpPMibB0JxenJF4jQLI9dZtBEw89Z8vbEwFg-jzDbIHqp3rmMQXtTX8huQoM1UgCftRkrJi-3aPwR-8K7xyIfhWxbvBHUANot-2ZgV/s1600/DSCN2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRp7IpMdVbIfgB07R-S5DlgTR_4MfS0aFwr1-ZzMIpPMibB0JxenJF4jQLI9dZtBEw89Z8vbEwFg-jzDbIHqp3rmMQXtTX8huQoM1UgCftRkrJi-3aPwR-8K7xyIfhWxbvBHUANot-2ZgV/s1600/DSCN2113.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> darth vador is running for president</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41v6MeGNZTWA_S8QURoPFDYpGcZMqToaQwYoDwz16yfIihcdq-6DOcJMfbtm5ovjdeTV_8Ix_nvrCetyrOQXl7dRDr4sioKrdT2Um9YfZdrduTCRqQsgCIhnFmKwISlYulw0NpS9eek23/s1600/DSCN2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41v6MeGNZTWA_S8QURoPFDYpGcZMqToaQwYoDwz16yfIihcdq-6DOcJMfbtm5ovjdeTV_8Ix_nvrCetyrOQXl7dRDr4sioKrdT2Um9YfZdrduTCRqQsgCIhnFmKwISlYulw0NpS9eek23/s1600/DSCN2114.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> TGIF! Yum</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGfujRTu0QcSm4UII5TevP_4h0IAMxqiaaPvtmlXd7hCcEQgr97ixNEQR0XZWfOv1Nx6tmt21WBfzskCQbQkpk8ywIkYpMfPiqATxllrxyLdoMPpTTrTyraOyIfCup56fff6HV-CJZ5SO/s1600/DSCN2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGfujRTu0QcSm4UII5TevP_4h0IAMxqiaaPvtmlXd7hCcEQgr97ixNEQR0XZWfOv1Nx6tmt21WBfzskCQbQkpk8ywIkYpMfPiqATxllrxyLdoMPpTTrTyraOyIfCup56fff6HV-CJZ5SO/s1600/DSCN2096.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It rained and stormed everyday this week </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401828713892_5709" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-e66OLnt0wpBxFwGaFFKrVx1mQ4etDnYFYDaZjIqHirFqwGKdCmWP4VMOWDp5hqDy0JngHfE30vpyZX2jtYhdr3cdYo28uTF_ZHVvlB-q_R_4QMnKe9m1f0cHjOgPf6VFeQZrG0wSywe/s1600/DSCN2107.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3493">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm
still in Ukraine, but in about an hour, I'm meeting up with the workers
at the service center to catch a flight to Latvia! Yay! Last night,
Sister Hunt, Robertson and I all met up and then stayed in Center Kyiv
with SIster Larcabal and Roe. It was a party! It was probably one of the
funnest nights of my mission thus far...We ate some left-over pizza and
chocolate and shared a bed and it was great fun. Missionary sleepovers
are the best :) hehe </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVA7B8v5ThfbFJLxIM_ToxcxVTs4HtsikohtgjlOgSL74N02pVuV9-ORxyP53orJdBTf8Qt7xGZccNHjSgrBZmc1st0rFdV9vpGfWkESuc5XXk0aYuilX0Qm-nl1al6Q9DyZ-V_ASBIE3/s1600/katibed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVA7B8v5ThfbFJLxIM_ToxcxVTs4HtsikohtgjlOgSL74N02pVuV9-ORxyP53orJdBTf8Qt7xGZccNHjSgrBZmc1st0rFdV9vpGfWkESuc5XXk0aYuilX0Qm-nl1al6Q9DyZ-V_ASBIE3/s1600/katibed.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3786">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">sleepover :) </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3787">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week was REALLY GOOD! Do you remember Natasha from last week? We ended
up meeting with her several times this week! She is so cute and she came
to church! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3788">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3789">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We
just had a man come in and sell us ties, I got some sweet ties :) :)
:) </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Jd8QA9ahluHO_DeVyOfhOkhSGrBfGacKHj0CzRNFJj-pxDxGzPSQjsqdUeC4aXzbn5l1p5PkjzB_FAljD8b5UgUomWRoqOg8vHJ0nQCLm95BEwKSJArFKV0Yrg-8IZRxvNFcZG9wqVGB/s1600/DSCN2116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Jd8QA9ahluHO_DeVyOfhOkhSGrBfGacKHj0CzRNFJj-pxDxGzPSQjsqdUeC4aXzbn5l1p5PkjzB_FAljD8b5UgUomWRoqOg8vHJ0nQCLm95BEwKSJArFKV0Yrg-8IZRxvNFcZG9wqVGB/s1600/DSCN2116.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> the new ties that I just bought</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But unfortunately, I ate away my email time and now we are going to
have to run to the service center :) But now that I love you all! I'm so
grateful for all that you do! ;) Thanks for being so great! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3790">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3791">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you all, the church is true! I'll tell you so much about Latvia next week! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3792">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3793">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pray for Ukraine! :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3794">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401578961077_3795">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Ford </span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-11002654224775039142014-05-19T12:39:00.000-07:002014-05-19T12:39:54.702-07:00 We just met the BEST babuska!<span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear family and friends, </span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2555">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2554">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy
Monday! Happy Spring! Happy rainstorms every night! Happy soaking wet
sister missionaries because we forget umbrellas everyday! Happy
missionary life! </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2553">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2335">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I
love you all! I love missionary work and today I am just especially
grateful for my opportunity to serve in this mission and to be on a
mission! The church is so true! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn8fDjqq-K8m65zi3f2JXzSC-y0NHwfRY3NYnIn2pCdgA26HUHASUFDbSFs2-vzoBU8V3eNJIwmQxJ_hUu1ufX-6xphvK2i75OV_UCJqkVL2p70GAnfg6RychGDHq7sKxcIZV3Lb8X6Ik/s1600/DSCN2062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn8fDjqq-K8m65zi3f2JXzSC-y0NHwfRY3NYnIn2pCdgA26HUHASUFDbSFs2-vzoBU8V3eNJIwmQxJ_hUu1ufX-6xphvK2i75OV_UCJqkVL2p70GAnfg6RychGDHq7sKxcIZV3Lb8X6Ik/s1600/DSCN2062.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2566" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Russian Headdresses that we found in the church :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2566">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2567">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week was great! It was so good! It was a little crazy but good. Life is
good! I am happy! And we are seeing a lot of miracles and happy things
here in Brovary! I don't even know where to start! </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2568">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2569">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">First
off, we just went outside to buy a snack and oh my, it is so pretty!
the sun is shining and there are so many white fluffies floating around
(I don't actually know what they are) that it looks like it is snowing! I
love Ukraine! </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsuRS2I78uGfB298JvzLiGzx8BmciOxFxWGGlogKoIZWafCX3S0RwXrktc84Boaor_YryLJhpe-HHgcUuiHSZO2EiOTVMb5gMyYwg5U021aYPWodq2xePTUedLmEZhMbsvX7RyZyHjDKx/s1600/DSCN2070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsuRS2I78uGfB298JvzLiGzx8BmciOxFxWGGlogKoIZWafCX3S0RwXrktc84Boaor_YryLJhpe-HHgcUuiHSZO2EiOTVMb5gMyYwg5U021aYPWodq2xePTUedLmEZhMbsvX7RyZyHjDKx/s1600/DSCN2070.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2570" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ukraine beauty :) </span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2570">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2571">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week we got transfer and learned that Sister Larcabal and I will be
together this transfer! We are really excited and we know that it will
be great! :) So a part of this week was packing and unpacking but that
was a pretty small part!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2572">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2573">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week, we headed up north for an exchange! we were in the cute
Chernigov! It was an amazing exchange! Us four sisters together had 6
lessons, found a new investigator and met with a girl that then agreed
to be baptized! It was a really fun day! I served with Sister Powell and
we had a blast! We even went to this cute Vereniki (dumpling)
restaurant and it was really fun! :) </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQgUyy34BVW5rAQtl_9G0BSZ98xidiglZIyL2enf6FTsqaVLa-4lrbv6K_PMXAC9hFoxKNrKyOY6wNoeDoBT17FyX645ZzIMOLrOTBlU0KJJhI9MDQpA0amawGrhIvn0hNKiMCpKkTjHN/s1600/DSCN2074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQgUyy34BVW5rAQtl_9G0BSZ98xidiglZIyL2enf6FTsqaVLa-4lrbv6K_PMXAC9hFoxKNrKyOY6wNoeDoBT17FyX645ZzIMOLrOTBlU0KJJhI9MDQpA0amawGrhIvn0hNKiMCpKkTjHN/s1600/DSCN2074.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2574" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">exchange pics :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2574" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2575">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week, we met with a lot of members to get better acquainted. We had a
fun lesson with a family with a few little kids. We taught about how
doing the little things strengthens our testimony. We had balloons and
we blew them up while we talked about all the little things that we
could do. Then we talked about how if you tied the balloon off and
didn't add anymore air, it would shrink and not be as big so we need to
always be adding more air. :) It was cute and the kids loved it! :) </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2576">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We also met
with our new branch president and his family! They are the best. Our new
branch president is about to get married so we talked about that a
little bit. Eventually we got on the topic of their conversion story. It
was so cool! Then they feed us Borsch. It was a great meeting! I love
members here! They are always so nice and good :) </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b_eo3gNRlyousyp4d-FnQvpkqlll_LylJoPkfP3XOa0XiH04EDRCKY4jbPMhVLhBnaqTDbPvYGkUMzm5mTUcGklJNJwxTP-z9rC2d0sesMks08HscrAtgfMdm9gBbblM17Ik67RonqUg/s1600/DSCN2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b_eo3gNRlyousyp4d-FnQvpkqlll_LylJoPkfP3XOa0XiH04EDRCKY4jbPMhVLhBnaqTDbPvYGkUMzm5mTUcGklJNJwxTP-z9rC2d0sesMks08HscrAtgfMdm9gBbblM17Ik67RonqUg/s1600/DSCN2066.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sister Powell on Exchanges :) </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyACS9oMHC4QKdkYk5jbwvc5CM_Kda-9Um1zW4XiDwRaqbpmZcpXprpwPpBdfHf2la19wzJKtwM6pZC5ngHGoJL3tDc4fqX2dro1zddiPeN1OTypWbLCAh-_WfaxFKqvSTKd5seggUz14X/s1600/DSCN2081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyACS9oMHC4QKdkYk5jbwvc5CM_Kda-9Um1zW4XiDwRaqbpmZcpXprpwPpBdfHf2la19wzJKtwM6pZC5ngHGoJL3tDc4fqX2dro1zddiPeN1OTypWbLCAh-_WfaxFKqvSTKd5seggUz14X/s1600/DSCN2081.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2577" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">rainbow in the park </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2577" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2578">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Funny
story, Sunday morning, we were studying and we got a call. It was
President Anton, our branch president. He then asked me to speak in
church (Which started in two hours), with the theme of MODESTY. ????
Before he told me that topic, I didn't even know how to say that in
Russian!! So originally it was a five minute talk but two minutes before
the meeting started, they asked me to speak for 10 minutes. Oh my oh!
It actually went really well. Everyone said that it was really good.
Haha :) </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2579">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Last Monday
night, our lesson fell through so we went to look for someone. We had
their address but nothing else. So we went and when we got there, they
were not home. We had brought some Banana bread to give to our friend,
but she wasn't home. As we walked out, we saw these two grandmas. We
decided to give our treat to them. As we approached, one said, "Sister
Ford, I love the book you gave me". Turns out that I had given the
babushka (grandma) a book of Mormon before and she loves it! So we got
to talking and before we knew it, we had 4 new babushki friends. They
even invited us to live in their house with them. It was so fun! :) I
love the babushki here :) </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVD5aew3VO6Lo1pfoSjrpdwwp3ad8Q909ELaML6tN9JZBD8lrOfLqJSMGv9GHOdXgsk2JCw5MsrmE1b4G6miHVzVjpvfO1pfxudEXh2iwjuPbN5jALa4eZqplyjhGBS_kDf1d1xSSJb-q/s1600/DSC05081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVD5aew3VO6Lo1pfoSjrpdwwp3ad8Q909ELaML6tN9JZBD8lrOfLqJSMGv9GHOdXgsk2JCw5MsrmE1b4G6miHVzVjpvfO1pfxudEXh2iwjuPbN5jALa4eZqplyjhGBS_kDf1d1xSSJb-q/s1600/DSC05081.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="body undoreset" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_14992" style="text-align: center;">
<div id="yiv0348357194">
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_14993">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">don't think we are too weird, but some district pictures... </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY-xHTFjMkTGHdkWidL2Dt5mxV0yFd9i3ThpE3HM0a1DLrwjzZSsWWG_XV-V-sXmfozPdiOc2WmrcTF8FLxlFMwHQ23CekWEu2JByPBYw78hU_Yp9IsGUD0yfGRe9zReNPbzvKpfGMAwi/s1600/DSC05085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY-xHTFjMkTGHdkWidL2Dt5mxV0yFd9i3ThpE3HM0a1DLrwjzZSsWWG_XV-V-sXmfozPdiOc2WmrcTF8FLxlFMwHQ23CekWEu2JByPBYw78hU_Yp9IsGUD0yfGRe9zReNPbzvKpfGMAwi/s1600/DSC05085.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFMkGG1otjtg-lrLzJKard_CnOYO1fz-sYw1vdVb_ythXW7UqPTBXLOWomm90vWIM6FB7PseBpzuEHy3-Ojbm6BoWhxdidEvtx-5kNWvmX-Lb3KMP_GfVX4IOS4Ob-R02TgkUFRxbAbL1/s1600/DSC05087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFMkGG1otjtg-lrLzJKard_CnOYO1fz-sYw1vdVb_ythXW7UqPTBXLOWomm90vWIM6FB7PseBpzuEHy3-Ojbm6BoWhxdidEvtx-5kNWvmX-Lb3KMP_GfVX4IOS4Ob-R02TgkUFRxbAbL1/s1600/DSC05087.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynISIYvGhQDFoCuvH1gPD_FW3Oh5fEvdXzyY4Eg1nGExvY-o8c0VYiplGvinZlHRr6xqpo1o163Z7hFbsz2T0YQynp1SwDWP6hYP65GXS6sr-6XTSHUWgn9w3FMZiIAVaXn1XzCyTlsZY/s1600/DSC05086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynISIYvGhQDFoCuvH1gPD_FW3Oh5fEvdXzyY4Eg1nGExvY-o8c0VYiplGvinZlHRr6xqpo1o163Z7hFbsz2T0YQynp1SwDWP6hYP65GXS6sr-6XTSHUWgn9w3FMZiIAVaXn1XzCyTlsZY/s1600/DSC05086.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2580">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Yesterday and
Today, We have been able to witness an amazing miracle. Yesterday,
Brother Roman (Family, you met him, he was the first one you saw), came
up and told us that he met this lady and that we could meet with her and
him tomorrow. so we agreed for that and today we came and he came and
she came and we met Natasha. She is the super cute hip babushka that
loves ping-pong, is a professional at the accordion and knows 4
different languages. We taught her about the restoration of our church
and a little more about what we believe. It was really awesome. There
was a strong Spirit there. At the end of the meeting, she asked to meet
again and have more lessons. So we set one up for Thursday. But then, as
we played some ping-pong (she plays so well), she asked if we could
meet tomorrow too! So we are really excited to meet with her and help
her learn more about the church. She told us about how she felt really
strongly that she needed to come into our building and that she loves
what we are teaching already! she is super fun :) </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2595">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2596">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Because
all of the Donetsk missionaries left, I got to choose if I wanted to
come home in September or October. And I chose October, so see you
October 15th :) Also, I'm not sure when you will get an email from me
next week, because next Monday at 11:45 is when I fly to Latvia to renew
my visa! It will be interesting! :) I've had to do a lot of paperwork
for that this week, but it has been good :) Hopefully everything will go
as planned! :) </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy4Bh1T9Fw14ytgKS6IZZA03SFHg-1VqKwT_6Xv9Fjt4UzJ7eOYMYbGb-r7rKyuVFD5jxRpZte7mdCWFSVC_AdLvrrd25leyPCGGsPiQwsz_Y4vTylnozn0VEbbza4jAIRbEDO-QrDaML/s1600/DSCN2084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy4Bh1T9Fw14ytgKS6IZZA03SFHg-1VqKwT_6Xv9Fjt4UzJ7eOYMYbGb-r7rKyuVFD5jxRpZte7mdCWFSVC_AdLvrrd25leyPCGGsPiQwsz_Y4vTylnozn0VEbbza4jAIRbEDO-QrDaML/s1600/DSCN2084.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Natasha, our new babushka friend</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This coming Sunday, is a big day for Ukraine!
election day! On Tuesday, as we were walking home, we walked right into a
political rally. One of the candidates was speaking in our park. So
that was interesting! There was so many people there! Everyone right now
has so much Ukrainian Pride. Pray for them this Sunday, that everything
will resolve in a peaceful way! </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you all! Have a great week! :) </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400521882826_2594">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-37367252696776428702014-05-12T19:15:00.000-07:002014-05-12T19:15:13.302-07:00 All is Well! All is Well!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends! </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2676">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2615">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy
One Day After Mother's Day! I love my Mother and I'm so grateful for
her example and love. She is the best! Also, a BIG SHOUT-OUT to all the
other women that have had a great impact in my life, my grandmothers,
teachers, friends, aunts, cousins. Y'all are so great and I love you! I
hope that everyone enjoyed a happy Mother's Day yesterday! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2288">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I
got the best present on Mother's Day this year, I got to talk to my
family! Yay! :) I have the best family! Just so you know, my companion
was VERY impressed by my brothers. She thinks that you are the best
brothers that any sister could have, and I agree. :) I love you all so
much and miss you and am excited to see you in the fall! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtGTaaHPBkpOCTRxnsaVe-WowqTwTUUW-wH5hNIeAu1HIYg026UKg3FDx_qUEWvZ8WPJV-jCK55dKNg2eg-HaNJ3OddkF7LbBtC2wlntk5pGJOIDBEdp5B_lh5MEM5DIPSNmVldj0p_MN/s1600/DSCN2044.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtGTaaHPBkpOCTRxnsaVe-WowqTwTUUW-wH5hNIeAu1HIYg026UKg3FDx_qUEWvZ8WPJV-jCK55dKNg2eg-HaNJ3OddkF7LbBtC2wlntk5pGJOIDBEdp5B_lh5MEM5DIPSNmVldj0p_MN/s1600/DSCN2044.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2622">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Site seeing in Kyiv</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2623">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">WHEW!
What a week! I'm sure many of you have MANY questions about what has
happened this last week. I'm sure most of you saw this update on some
sort of news site: </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2624">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Due
to ongoing uncertainty in Ukraine, 67 missionaries formerly serving in
the Ukraine Donetsk Mission who had previously been transferred to other
areas within Ukraine will be reassigned to missions within their home
countries to complete the remainder of their service. Forty-one
missionaries who anticipated serving in Ukraine have been reassigned to
other missions."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2626">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">and I'm sure that
many of you maybe even thought I was being reassigned or coming home.
But I'm still here (and actually part of the Kyiv mission). But my
companion, Sister Walker, was part of the Donetsk mission and that
actually should've said ex-companion because she is already back in
America, serving in California. I'm am confident that she is doing an
excellent job there, but I miss her here! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2628">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We
found out in the middle of zone conference on Tuesday that all those
missionaries would be leaving and it completely changed our week. We
found out Tuesday and spent all day Tuesday in conference with President
(of the Mission) Klebingat and President (of the Area Presidency)
Bennett. The next day, Wednesday was when we found out that they needed
to be packed by Thursday and so she packed. Thursday I dropped her off
at the mission home, where all of the departing missionaries got one
more chance to meet with President. Then they all flew out on Friday
morning. If any of them are now serving in your ward, you are so lucky!
They are amazing missionaries and you are lucky to have them there! We
miss their presence here and really feel as though we lost half of our
mission!. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusIhLe4fnS3hsnkRVyo6d0HXXO_91OxBjWZHppNDEIecfMbb50F3W2t74gy33bhP_UIP6SMnuOmoZxG08OW88WOmG29CLcEkDYMv-atFFj0xkuCxunoQYuNozs-Df2RzzZEVfLHeE0bYe/s1600/DSCN2039.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusIhLe4fnS3hsnkRVyo6d0HXXO_91OxBjWZHppNDEIecfMbb50F3W2t74gy33bhP_UIP6SMnuOmoZxG08OW88WOmG29CLcEkDYMv-atFFj0xkuCxunoQYuNozs-Df2RzzZEVfLHeE0bYe/s1600/DSCN2039.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2661">
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2664">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Since
Sister Walker left, I have been serving temporarily with Sister
Larcabal; whose companion also left. Sister Larcabal is awesome and we
have been having some good times together! She got to meet my family and
I got to meet hers so that was really fun! We probably won't be with
each other past tomorrow but I have enjoyed serving with her! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JXyJwzN8qmXNZ38sbYj6S-H6bXk5Bncp9F64LZydukdwS2-0TGmrrxntH_frIYxU8tvdj2PVv41IqOK0p8pYM6rCobybNp7Ie1D1o4Nu1Nk-adtMovEbu6WUVVVaGrUjUgA4mCmAvT2p/s1600/DSCN2054.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JXyJwzN8qmXNZ38sbYj6S-H6bXk5Bncp9F64LZydukdwS2-0TGmrrxntH_frIYxU8tvdj2PVv41IqOK0p8pYM6rCobybNp7Ie1D1o4Nu1Nk-adtMovEbu6WUVVVaGrUjUgA4mCmAvT2p/s1600/DSCN2054.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sister Walker and I </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2660">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">One fun memory
from Sister Walker. We ended up meeting with a less active family on
Wednesday night. We had a very spiritual lesson and at the end, her sons
brought out their pet bird. We got to play with it and it was really
cute, or at least that is what I thought! But Sister Walker is terrified
of birds, so she was just so freaked out the whole time and scared to
death. But hey, she let it land on her head and overcame her fears :) It
was a good moment :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2659">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I've
learned a lot of lessons in this last week, with the biggest one being
that the Lord has a plan for us! He loves us and wants us to be happy!
He has a specific plan for each one of us! He knows that this plan will
give us all the knowledge and experience that we need in order to become
the person that he wants us to be. When we were at our conference,
President Bennett spoke a little bit about how when new trials or
experiences come, many people say, "Here we go again" and how, to better
face those trials and experiences, we can change it to "Here we GROW
again" and take the time to find the lessons that God wants us to learn
in every experience! I have a testimony that God works in mysterious
ways but that they are only mysterious to us because we can't see the
whole picture. When we see it all, we will realize that it makes perfect
sense! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2657">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">At our
conference, we ended with the song "Come, Come Ye Saints" which was the
same song that Sister Larcabal and I sang yesterday as a musical
number. The following words were very comforting to me during this
strange and eventful week. </span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;<br />But with joy wend your way.<br />Though hard to you this journey may appear,<br />Grace shall be as your day.<br />'Tis better far for us to strive<br />Our useless cares from us to drive;<br />
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell--<br />All is well! All is well!</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2646">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?<br />'Tis not so; all is right.<br />Why should we think to earn a great reward<br />
If we now shun the fight?<br />Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.<br />Our God will never us forsake;<br />And soon we'll have this tale to tell--<br />All is well! All is well!</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2646">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2646">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">especially
the second verse! I'm excited to take up more courage, to trust in God
more and to really have the faith that the Lord is watching over and has
a perfect plan! His work is moving here and hastening along! I love you
all and am grateful for your prayers and love! Keep up the good work! </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2653">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2654">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pray for Ukraine! They need it now more than ever :) </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2655">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399946546625_2636">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-54355588354615060712014-05-06T05:23:00.003-07:002014-05-06T05:23:56.926-07:00 Happy Cinco de Mayo!<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hola Amigos! </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2681">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2682">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Haha just kidding... I'm in Ukraine, not Mexico!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HAPPY
TRANSFO WEEK! That is the real celebration of this week! This week was
pretty crazy, but really good! I love being a missionary! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2396">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll start with
last P-day.... It was probably one of the best P-days that I have ever
had! After we finished our studies and email, we headed into downtown
Kyiv! We went to what is called the Spoosk. It is a huge long street
with souvineer shops all the way down it! It was so fun! They had
EVERYTHING! :) I ended up buying some soccer scarfs, a real fur hat, a
Vishevanka (Traditional Ukraine Shirt) and some magnets. We met one man,
he would give us really good prices on everything. It was so nice! I
got almost all the souvineers that I wanted... the only problem is that
now I want more because I saw it there! :P I hope I can send pictures
today, because we have some fun ones. We brought one of our recent
converts with us, which was really great because he carried all our bags
AND protected us from the sometimes intense salespeople.... We also
had a really yummy dinner of traditional Ukrainian foods. It was so
good! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2526">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2676">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
rest of the week until Wednesday was spent with Sister Winsor saying
goodbye to all of her favorite members. It was really weird that
EVERYONE except Elder Roggow and I left, I was all the sudden the one
that had to know how to get everywhere...Thank goodness Brovary is
SMALL! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2675">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On Wednesday, I
got to go over to a lady names Nadedja and her family. They come to our
english! They invited us to make Shashlik with them, which is Ukrainian
Shiskabobs. They were SO good! It was such a fun day! We got to share a
little bit more about what we believed with them which was really
special. Nadedja is a Mary-Kay saleslady and as we were walking out the
door, she comes up and says,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> "girls, when was the last time you had a face mask done?" </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2674">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"umm... long long long long time ago..."</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To which she replies </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2673">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
"I can tell" </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2672">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then
proceeded to give us face masks and makeovers. It was nice of her. She
gave us a bunch of free makeup and a book about Mary Kay. In russian...
That will be my language study when I get home... haha :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2527">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thursday was
transfer day and I headed into the mission office and picked up my new
companion! Sister Walker is from Utah, and is a funny, cute 20 year old
sister from the former Donetsk mission! She is my age on the mission and
we are having a blast together so far. She loves hashtags #whodoesnt
and to share clothes, so I think we will get along great. She also has
connections with everyone... it's crazy! We are now the ONLY sisters in
our area and it is really fun. I haven't been without another set of
sisters since November and it's different! But it will be so great! We
will have a lot of work to do with the branch and will all of the
investigators and people from English! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2671">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2670">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
rest of this week has been a blur of getting settled into a new
companionship, planning and setting goals, and normal missionary life!
We had an awesome Saturday, complete with soccer (I'm getting so much
better!!!!) and game night (also getting better there!) haha. With all
of the old missionaries gone, everyone looked to me a lot more. It was
different to take the lead in everything but really good. I'm really
excited for this transfer, I think it will be so good! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2669">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2668">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sunday,
we got a new branch president! About time, the old one had been in for
12 years. Wow. But out new branch president is 24 ( i think) and way
cool. He is getting married in a month, nothing like becoming branch
president and getting engaged in the same 2 weeks. What a champ. I'm
excited to work with him more to help the branch! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2667">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2535">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Funny
Ukraine Story Time: So yesterday we went to stop by a less active. We
had heard some weird things about her, but the Relief Society President
asked us to take her something. So we took the elders with us. We got
there and rang the doorbell and no one answered. So we were getting
ready to leave when a man came up the stairs too. He rang the doorbells
too, for the same apartment. We explained that no one answered, but he
still kept ringing the door bell. When we were going to leave (because
no one was answering the door), he just told us to wait. So we waited.
After about 10 minutes, the door opened and someone answered. Moral of
the Story??? Just keep ringing! :) Our tracting approach will be much
different now.... haha not really :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2528">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2531">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm
sure everyone has heard at least somewhat about everything that has
been happening in Ukraine and especially this last week in Odessa. It
breaks my heart to think of all that suffering and fighting in the city
that I love so much. Please pray for them. Also, know that we are being
cared for and watched out for. President Klebingat talks often (even
everyday) with security and they are watching out for us. We are very
cautious about where we go and what we do. The Lord will protect His
Missionaries. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2530">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2529">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes
it is a little hard to be a missionary in the midst of so much sadness
and hardship. In the midst of this war, it could be easy to convince
ourselves that people aren't interested in our message right now. But
that is not true! I can testify that despite all the fighting and chaos
right now, people need this gospel! In fact, people need it more with
all that is going on! And the work here is progressing -- all over our
mission! We are having a lot of success. Just last night, Sister Walker
and I talked to a couple who expressed to us their concerns about not
knowing where to find peace and answers in these hard times. It was such
a blessing being able to answer and express my testimony that we can
receive comfort and answers through prayer and conversation with our
Heavenly Father. He has a perfect plan for us. He has a perfect plan for
Ukraine. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2655">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2656">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
so we continue in our work here, knowing that we are blessed to see the
Lord's hand everyday working to bless and protect us! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2657">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2658">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love you all! I hope you have a great day! and week :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2659">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1399378090955_2661">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382752864925763814.post-60883549027463934282014-04-28T05:51:00.001-07:002014-04-28T05:51:26.837-07:00 Is this real life?<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Family and Friends.</span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2670">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2669">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wow.
What a week. Sometimes being a missionary, I look back at my week and
wonder if I am in some sort of dream... We had some crazy experiences
this week!... Crazy but good! I don't even know where to begin! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2668">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2423">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I
guess I can start with Transfo! Normally, we receive transfer
information two Saturdays before the transfer ends. But with 85 new
missionaries, it took a little bit longer. So we didn't get any
information until Saturday night. And for me, not much changes! I will
be in BROVARY again! I will be serving with Sister Walker. She is from
the Donestk mission (we now refer to them as our "new missionaries") and
she was in the MTC with me, but in the other zone. I'm pretty excited
for our transfer together! It will be so good. As far as my district,
only Elder Roggow and I are staying here in Brovary. The other SIX are
leaving! Wow. So that is basically a full white-wash. So that will be
fun! I'm also pretty lucky because there will only be 1 set of sisters
here in Brovary. We are one of 4 areas in our mission with only one set
of sisters, some of the other areas have 4 sets! So we will have a lot
of work to do, with our work plus the other sisters that are leaving! In
other news, remember Elder Martineau? The elder that I served around
for 5 transfers in Odessa? He is going to be in my district again. Wow.
Our district will be two sets of elders and 1 set of sisters! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIVU1MP8aGv6S2NzfKhdHyUdlnrfV0EhSQmSWDtXA0dtzxLorMV3Msss2R5gQlcNxrGiAHd8V_gDhZUp4GLElMTEmqLyGdNC5rZLwsgPzZoYiC8sPUPl3BY6EV0eVKmhD2JLHj9-2P_c2/s1600/DSC05395.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIVU1MP8aGv6S2NzfKhdHyUdlnrfV0EhSQmSWDtXA0dtzxLorMV3Msss2R5gQlcNxrGiAHd8V_gDhZUp4GLElMTEmqLyGdNC5rZLwsgPzZoYiC8sPUPl3BY6EV0eVKmhD2JLHj9-2P_c2/s1600/DSC05395.JPG" height="223" width="400" /> </a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">District pic</span></span> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_n5YwjZlPq5_cHOJH-qv2a0Madg3PF3R2bAFzWEBi__JImWVqDBa2cSizcQfFyAH3CAIN2PyyW6NwnRKDh41AYkATZCbnLVQLv3ikQDsQIwc36LKk12iP_5Jd1RvNzkvRGBXGu3LJ7ATs/s1600/DSC05402.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_n5YwjZlPq5_cHOJH-qv2a0Madg3PF3R2bAFzWEBi__JImWVqDBa2cSizcQfFyAH3CAIN2PyyW6NwnRKDh41AYkATZCbnLVQLv3ikQDsQIwc36LKk12iP_5Jd1RvNzkvRGBXGu3LJ7ATs/s1600/DSC05402.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">more district picture </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2423">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Last night
we had a going away party for everyone that was leaving. It was sad.
One elder, Elder Fisher, heads out tomorrow to America, finishing his
mission a transfer early to help with space issues. So that was fun to
say goodbye to him! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2673">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2674">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This
week, we went to the Circus with our English group. It was an
interesting experience. Very Russian and cheap. But it was an
experience. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzmspCohYj8jpPMbBeqQhMTBdmIZ4-nKKg62WdsVdGD_E4hoPX009XPxb1XEYRAaIN4xKRz2JvHZtpYdmOTxHNHjOCOzTf-6jzUV6Jta4L3kTFyhXQSwSpZNZtsK4YQ9pkKMl_l76Edir/s1600/DSCN1997.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzmspCohYj8jpPMbBeqQhMTBdmIZ4-nKKg62WdsVdGD_E4hoPX009XPxb1XEYRAaIN4xKRz2JvHZtpYdmOTxHNHjOCOzTf-6jzUV6Jta4L3kTFyhXQSwSpZNZtsK4YQ9pkKMl_l76Edir/s1600/DSCN1997.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2674" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> circus</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2674" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2674">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">They did have this one man that was probably 60 years old
that did a handstand on top of 4 balanced chairs and a table. That was
impressive. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2675">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2676">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes,
I like to think about what my mission would be like if I was serving in
other parts of the world. This last week, I had an experience of what
it would be like to serve in Africa. In our branch, we have two recent
converts- Austin and Kingsley, who are from Africa. This last week,
Kingsley called us up and asked if we wanted to "convert some souls".
Well of course that answer is YES! So he to<span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2678" style="background-color: white;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2677">ld
us to come to his house Friday at 4. So we went. It was a birthday
party for this little girl who was turning 1. I think that every black
person from all of Kyiv was there... haha. It was a fun experience. We
walk</span></span> in and playing in the background is "Happy Birthday".
But like 20 different variations of it. And everyone is dancing to the
happy birthday songs. And the food! African food! and so much of it.
They had this fish green herb soup thing and what you did was take a
ball of cream of wheat and some soup and then break off pieces of the
cream of wheat and dip it in the soup. It was interesting.... haha. My
poor companion was enjoying some unidentifiable meat, and was rather
distraught when she learned that it was cow intestine. haha.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcpnYTIAJL0y5o1XLdfhRmJti4jOzrABn18hg_RckQhKCB41JHZv2r-YbhRZ0X12C0SY0EH7fn0WMZDChhERIFX4RpyN1_BI2txGzfO1vdaX2O32JPwaTo07woJu0_fx76oKwQMh1CK9z/s1600/SAM_5901.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcpnYTIAJL0y5o1XLdfhRmJti4jOzrABn18hg_RckQhKCB41JHZv2r-YbhRZ0X12C0SY0EH7fn0WMZDChhERIFX4RpyN1_BI2txGzfO1vdaX2O32JPwaTo07woJu0_fx76oKwQMh1CK9z/s1600/SAM_5901.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">african party! :) </span></span> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8QODUYPMRZMjnhkrUuCs-ANadjNJHPTyVf7AchHkWNwcta8vaGPjG7hzRzG4ggIn3XTG4zp-TC7Utl6OUqL6GYKuZsMQdyACiJe7DA5jY8BTPKk8Ytu7_bfi0HuPlR7e592t_xqdxQiD/s1600/DSCN1982.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8QODUYPMRZMjnhkrUuCs-ANadjNJHPTyVf7AchHkWNwcta8vaGPjG7hzRzG4ggIn3XTG4zp-TC7Utl6OUqL6GYKuZsMQdyACiJe7DA5jY8BTPKk8Ytu7_bfi0HuPlR7e592t_xqdxQiD/s1600/DSCN1982.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2676">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me with african food! :)</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2676">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2676">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I really enjoy African people, they are so nice! especially after being
in Ukraine, where talking to strangers is weird for them. But not for
people from Africa. One lady walked in, saw us and immediately went off,
"Hi, my name is Comfort, but you can just call me Comfy!!! I can just
tell that we are going to be such good friends." It was fun and we got
to know so many new people! </span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2679">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Also, I passed 3
months since I broke my back, and that meant I could try running again!
IT WAS THE BEST! We went to the track and I ran a mile. It was the
best! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hcwWoeAaHmidsawwXAiokSBIVNKJkRIoaj3Qg3pjymFR6qof68qaj337zT8rRga-1SBWLbXMCvOJechn0SjKUF__k3xZH7E-l3y1cXhCu431jKSyDk80CAdrDIhhMpNcd8mFemeBXDAL/s1600/SAM_5936.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hcwWoeAaHmidsawwXAiokSBIVNKJkRIoaj3Qg3pjymFR6qof68qaj337zT8rRga-1SBWLbXMCvOJechn0SjKUF__k3xZH7E-l3y1cXhCu431jKSyDk80CAdrDIhhMpNcd8mFemeBXDAL/s1600/SAM_5936.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> soccer</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2679">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And I played Soccer on Saturday with the ward! So fun :) :) :)
Also, we helped a member paint his house! It was so awesome service :) </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvSAunK0ovqaW6luBXtvcEcljAEf9LuG-Ebw8jp3Ar8ClDbrdcu2z1g9r7ya4eMlyBNytRMJg_qeZCGx3tonIjE0MyyDjK8QYlXana9hRQ1zkvkSHhHUdBgCCY1juZHtJuRTxoqpSAwCE/s1600/SAM_5949.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvSAunK0ovqaW6luBXtvcEcljAEf9LuG-Ebw8jp3Ar8ClDbrdcu2z1g9r7ya4eMlyBNytRMJg_qeZCGx3tonIjE0MyyDjK8QYlXana9hRQ1zkvkSHhHUdBgCCY1juZHtJuRTxoqpSAwCE/s1600/SAM_5949.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">service</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEJrzrWAlDnTDmDBGpK8houMYWhjsYWwesFpDvf-GZ1NsFpDfaordTUjLm_a2ltEnhyphenhyphen74X7AJVKnYj7KnyyGlAUmLI_OQOgJ7pJccgB4IQnkXBkpH4FfUCirMaCMHbueZ111jAqa4_uIu/s1600/SAM_5952.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEJrzrWAlDnTDmDBGpK8houMYWhjsYWwesFpDvf-GZ1NsFpDfaordTUjLm_a2ltEnhyphenhyphen74X7AJVKnYj7KnyyGlAUmLI_OQOgJ7pJccgB4IQnkXBkpH4FfUCirMaCMHbueZ111jAqa4_uIu/s1600/SAM_5952.JPG" height="400" width="300" /> </a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> painting! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiK9_IMu1sV-vvOYw9QB_Qz9oVQdL8_20qkD3IJTFEnOZ6B9qB2pyHo_YsL0zKKC7LRAsc_AuyYwYvb-FAoygGZ0lea4IdPx-i0yz7OZjoSay8dh_dX3LtJagH4wsohSt8T0UmXnqO-85/s1600/SAM_5964.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiK9_IMu1sV-vvOYw9QB_Qz9oVQdL8_20qkD3IJTFEnOZ6B9qB2pyHo_YsL0zKKC7LRAsc_AuyYwYvb-FAoygGZ0lea4IdPx-i0yz7OZjoSay8dh_dX3LtJagH4wsohSt8T0UmXnqO-85/s1600/SAM_5964.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2679">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">after we painted, Brother Sasha bought us pizza! Yum! :)
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yesterday, we had stake conference, here in Kyiv! I really loved
it. It was inspiring to hear and see the local leaders of the church
talk to us. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpSM1Bjlc6UGmkwaOGEghuainEUt3-uJy6yTiLeBFroO0ZqGLuGKNlgsbHRwVLrRByPyv9coihinLQwuzrSRi6LK7vp5IloO2CT23V15BBYG86ZfLIVqHMZChjEbTnpXEuI8IpbcdYX1l/s1600/SAM_6076.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpSM1Bjlc6UGmkwaOGEghuainEUt3-uJy6yTiLeBFroO0ZqGLuGKNlgsbHRwVLrRByPyv9coihinLQwuzrSRi6LK7vp5IloO2CT23V15BBYG86ZfLIVqHMZChjEbTnpXEuI8IpbcdYX1l/s1600/SAM_6076.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stake Conference</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZ3SOvAs_3CumtQXG00Lmh33VBMUFhhlaUYk9w2LeZbLnW_7Z1OocmJM69GC5iqD9c9wB8w7LqfbGnIX8648RgK57An5OIcWyexxIP_Olloa5eBVRIA_Yo7RHRhHL_Nv2a-QusXT-MrNM/s1600/SAM_6091.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZ3SOvAs_3CumtQXG00Lmh33VBMUFhhlaUYk9w2LeZbLnW_7Z1OocmJM69GC5iqD9c9wB8w7LqfbGnIX8648RgK57An5OIcWyexxIP_Olloa5eBVRIA_Yo7RHRhHL_Nv2a-QusXT-MrNM/s1600/SAM_6091.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2679" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">our bus on the way! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2679" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2679">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love the opportunities I have to see how the church has
grown in such a short amount of time. Ukraine is a special, holy place.
The early members of the church here have a special spirit, that has
really motivated them to share the gospel and live their faith. Together
with so many missionaries and our desire to share the gospel, I feel a
special spirit in the branches and wards. I don't really know how to
categorize it into words, maybe a feeling of excitement or a feeling
that something big is on the way? But it is a good feeling and I feel it
all the time. It just motivates me to work my hardest, because I know
miracles are coming and are happening all around us! It is a really
special time to be a missionary in the Ukraine Kyiv mission! This past
little while, I have just felt so blessed to be serving here and
learning so much and seeing so many miracles! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8sZY0KBv4YKbrwp8bs5T9wKZBkMHIdnJsK1ChjYS7dfiVDhvq8LWu1eqXumFaCUNa0wCQ__FM7fciwoevRaoJExjO1AOovSFhL1bSQcgjq31nrt4FTGyKoSVVkzYaREDwVjFaNlGixlr/s1600/DSCN1922.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8sZY0KBv4YKbrwp8bs5T9wKZBkMHIdnJsK1ChjYS7dfiVDhvq8LWu1eqXumFaCUNa0wCQ__FM7fciwoevRaoJExjO1AOovSFhL1bSQcgjq31nrt4FTGyKoSVVkzYaREDwVjFaNlGixlr/s1600/DSCN1922.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Tank pic</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2680">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ukraine
is such a special place! Don't worry about me, I am safe, But PLEASE
pray for the political situation to improve so that we can keep doing
the Lord's work in this beautiful country! I love being a missionary, I
know that this church is true! Have a fantastic week! :) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2692">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2681">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love, </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2691">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sister Kati Ford </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1398686915828_2690">
<br /></div>
Kati Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625569837353232437noreply@blogger.com0