SNOW!!!!!!

Hey Everyone,

GUESS WHAT! Winter just hit in Odessa! It just started snowing! How fun is that? And freezing cold! haha :)! The WIND has been crazy this last week! I bought some leggings to keep my legs warm under my tights. They have yellow purple and black polka dots and reindeer. Maybe I will send a picture next week! I just bought them today so I hope they work out! ;) 

 

 With my fluffy hat! I didn't buy this one... but it was fluffy!

On the bus back from the market! :) 

 

This week was interesting! It was one of those weeks where basically every appointment cancels (13 if you are keeping track!!!) but I am still extremely happy and loving life! I think a big part of it is because people didn't just not show, they had good excuses (sick, work, guests) and we know that life happens and sometimes things get crazy!

Things were also a little crazy for us too! At the last minute, we found out that Sister Lameraux would be in Kyiv! So we had a two day exchange, where I was with Sister McInnes, here in Suvorovsky! It was a party! Sister McInnes is from Arizona and she is awesome!

Also this week, we received TRANSFO for next transfer!!! AND>>>>> I will be in SUVOROVSKY again!!!! I will be here for 8 and a half months (not counting the MTC) That is crazy!!! Over half of my mission will be here in Suvorovsky! Right now I will tie the record of any sister in one area, who knows, maybe I will break the record ;)

I know exactly why I will be here again next transfer. I probably had 3 ladies in the ward tell me that they were praying that I would be here until after Christmas! So they must have a lot of faith :) I'm glad I will be here for Christmas because I LOVE SUVOROVSKY! Something weird about it though is that I will serve here for longer then I went to my BYU ward and almost longer (or longer) then we lived in the Shamrock Farms ward. Much longer also then the Kalamazoo ward! Isn't that crazy??!?! It has been such a blessing to get to serve in this little branch and form these amazing relationships! I love this little part of the world! I will also be with Sister Kelly again! The other sisters are also staying the same, as well as most of the other Sisters in Odessa. There is one change! Sister Lee is coming down to Odessa! I am so excited :) I can't wait to see her! And Sister Hunt will still be here! Yay! Hopefully we can have an awesome MTC reunion! :) 

 

We try really hard to be creative so that we catch people's attention! One thing that we did was tracting with our portable DVD player. When people answer, we ask them if they are interested in a 3 minute video message about Christ.  When showing our video last night, this lady walked up, said, "Are you from that church" and pointed to our church. We said yes and she started yelling about how we are sect and then turned around and RAN away! I think it was supposed to make us mad, but it was just really funny...  One video is the church's collaboration with the piano guys oh come Emanuel video.  I have it on my flashdrive, we show it on the TV at the church, and sometimes take the TV outside and show it on the street. IT's fun!

This week, when we did Service for Vika, we washed her dogs. That was an adventure! I like animals a lot more after serving here. I think I actually want a pet cat or dog now! :)

This week, we did another Pancake night! It was a little crazy! Now that Sister Leavitt went up to Kyiv, I was put in charge by default! It was crazy! But thankfully, it all worked out great! We had a bunch of people there and everyone enjoyed it! The four of us sisters here in Suvorovsky made 250 crepes! It was crazy!

Crepes! 50 of them! :) 

 

And now, it is officially the Christmas season! I LOVE IT! We are going to buy a tree and decorate a little bit! It will be so fun to be with 4 sisters for Christmas! ;) It is such a great time to be a missionary! I love being able to share this message about Christ with the world! He is the reason that we have Christmas and the best thing you could do to thank Christ for all that he does is to help someone else come unto him! This Christmas season, invite someone else to learn about this great gospel! Give the gift of your testimony to someone that you love! :)

Sorry I don't have much to write about this week! But know that I love you all and I am so grateful for all of you! Merry Christmas season! Be happy :)

Love,

Sister Kati Ford

6 MONTHS!!

Dear Family and Friends,

Can you believe it? I hit my 6 month mark on Friday! Oh my goodness! I feel like I have only been out for a few weeks. I love being a missionary and have so blessed by my service so far! When I think about how much I have grown, I am so glad for my opportunity to be here! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now!

the view through the church keyhole... cool!

It's COLD here now! Like gloves and jacket and tights and fall boots cold. I don't know what I will do when winter comes but at the same time, I love it :) I feel so cute in the fall :) Our house is cold... the government runs the heat and it doesn't turn on until November... Brrr! :) Good thing we have blankets! The really sad news is that our water heater isn't working right now... don't know why... so our showers have been like ICE! It is kinda funny becuase both Sister Nielsen and I squeal when we shower. We have to jump up and down before we get in so that we can stay somewhat warm. Then we bundle up when we get out... It's an adventure. :)

happy birthday tyson! 

 Elders... Ukrainian style

 elders happy!

Elder bolt wishing a happy birthday! 

This week, during a personal study, I was thinking a lot about the phrase "eye single to the glory of God." I thought about how when we devote our whole attention to the "glory of God", or the manifestations of His power, we can more accurately see the good all around us. And seeing the good all around us, helps qualify us for the work, and being able to do the work better. I've really been looking for the good around me everyday, little manifestations of God's love and power in my life and the lives of people around me. A huge way that I have seen this good is through the happiness people experience relating to progression in the gospel.  For example, a recent convert talking about his first time in the temple, A convert's smile as He blesses the sacrament for the first time, seeing members from my old area and having them remember me and my testimony, a member's willingness to help us, the Relief Society President's trust in me and in the Lord. These little things strength my testimony and desire to do His work, and to do His work, in His way!

This week we found out transfer information. Next transfer, I will be in Suvorosky, again! I will be with my trainee, Her name is Sister Kelly. I know nothing about her, but I am so excited to meet her! We are going to baptize Suvorosky! haha :) I can't believe that I am training! I still feel so young! This week will be crazy! We head up to Kyiv on Wednesday night at 11:00 and get there the next morning. Then we have a day full of meetings. Then our trainees will sleep at the hotel again and Sister Hunt and I will find some sisters to stay with (I think...) and the next day we have meetings again! Then we come back on Friday night! It is going to be crazy for sure! I'm excitedfor the train and to be up in Kyiv. You may be wondering, what is up with Sister Nielsen? She will be opening a new area, Vinnitsya! It is up in Kyiv! She will be great :)

This last week was really good! We met with many members, which was really fun! One member of our branch tripped over her dog and broke her shoulder, which we didn't know. 

 prego dog. Is huge. Almost killed her owner...

who btw looks like a human version of this dog :) 

We felt the impression to call her, set up an appointment, and then to bring her flowers. We got there to see her broken arm, and learned that she can't leave the house for the next three weeks. She has been waiting for months to go to the temple, but can't go now because of her arm. We had the awesome opportunity to strengthen her. She told us at the end that she felt like her light was fading, but we brightened her light again, strenthened her and inspired her to share the gospel again! It was so sweet :)

We met with another member and she helped us make our first borsch! It was so good! I'm excited to get home and be able to cook delicious borsch for you :) It isn't even that hard :)

finished borsch

This week we also had a combined activity with the Center branch. It was a PANCAKE NIGHT! It was sooooo fun! The members and nonmembers love pancakes! All the missionaries made like 300 or more pancakes, both American and Ukrainian (crepes) There was about 40 people there, which is huge! It was so fun! It was also really fun to see my friends from my old area. I had so many of the people that I had worked with give me HUGE hugs. Galina, a lady that I met with once, came up saying, "Hello, my favorite, beautiful missionary". It was cute. :)

 pancake night

 

Lena and Vika. Vika, the blond, I don't know...

but she might add me on facebook

Lena is a girl from center is filling out mission 

papers in 3 months!!! 

 me and Zoya and Katya from center

me and Galina...awkward hug picture thing

Who watched the Relief Society broadcast?? I did :) Sister Nielsen and I had the opportunity to watch it during our companion study! It was awesome! And a sister missionary choir! So awesome! We looked for my new companion, but the nametags are hard to read! We saw some russian ones, so maybe I saw her... I don't know! I loved the moment when the showed the Lady from Russia, opening her door! Just so you know, that is exactly what tracting looks like... minus the bright lights, and smiling lady welcoming you in :) Hahaha but the doors are like that, and the 4 doorbells on the side. We ring all of them :) It made my heart smile because it reminded me of Ukraine and the wonderful members here :)

Conference is this weekend! We don't watch it until next week, but I can't wait! I will find out the new temples before then though :) and any special announcements :P haha! I hope they announce a temple in Odessa! How cool would that be... we need a stake first though :) Everyone watch it and tell me their favorite parts!

by our house is this little bread shop. It is only 1 dollar 

(8 grn) for 2 bigstuffed rolls with fruit in it! 

So good! We get them often-ish :) 

Scary part from this week- the Relief Society President in my branch put me in charge of the Relief Society activity for this week. What is it? A discussion on how to be a good mom! I have no idea why I am in charge, because first of all I'm not a mom, and second of all, I don't really speak that much russian to lead a conversation that isn't gospel related at all. I thought about it a lot, and finally decided to cut up questions and pass them out and then have answers from the prophets and my life, and the Klebingat's...when then I got a call from my zone leader telling me that I won't be in Odessa on Friday, but will be in Kyiv. So now...today... soonish, I have to call her and tell her that I won't be here. Sad :( I was kinda excited for the challenge! Next time!

Sister Hunt and I at Olios today! 

I love you all! I hope that you have a GREAT week! Enjoy conference! Enjoy fall!

Sister Ford

New Transfer!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

Today begins a new transfer! I'm excited to get to work in Suvorosky! I hope all is well for all of you! School is starting now...study hard! BYU has their first game this weekend, or so I hear! I'm cheering for them from Ukraine! :) 

 

 On my exchange with Sister Gillespie and Hunt! 

 

(My last day with Sister Hunt! I miss her so much! I was actually homesick for her this week! But I saw her today so all is good!) 

This week was so good! It was crazy because it was transfer week, but it was still really good! I spent a lot of time with various companions in various appartment because my new companion, Sister Nielsen was up in Kyiv sending Sister Busch home! Like HOME! AMERICA! So that was weird. But it was fun being with other sisters. One sister in our zone is Sister Gillespie. I hadn't really gotten the chance to get to know her super well but we were together for a few days. Turns out that we are RELATED! What?!??!? It's kinda random and long, but there. (Her mom's cousins and Lance and Heather Clyde...) We made the connection while riding on a Tram.  We were so excited but none of the Ukrainian people around us understood. 

 

 Saying goodbye to a less active member, Riasa

This week was also crazy because every morning and every night we travel an hour to get to our area. It's a lot of time on buses. Today my bus hit a car. That was unfortunate. For how crazy they drive, it's a miracle every time we get off one alive! :) 

 

 

 house sandels. They are a thing here. The sisters have them in their new apartment. I need some! haha

Everything has been splendid so far, at least as far as our companionship. We shared a room in the MTC so it is fun to be back together. We used to joke that maybe we would serve together and now we really are! So I'm happy about that.

 

 Walking to my new house. I only saw the outside though and couldn't take a pic! NEXT WEEK though :) 

The branch in Suvorosky was so happy to learn that they will have sisters all the time. I was told by several members that they have work for us to do! So I am so excited to help them and to help people there come unto Christ! We were able to meet with the Relief Society President this week. We told her that this transfer we want to focus on serving as much as we can. She gave us people to serve in the ward and then asked us, as a service to her, to try and think of a new and creative Relief Society Activity idea. We suggested doing a Question and Answer Discussion on how to be a good mother, and she loved it! It was fun being at church and hearing them announce that activity for the middle of September!  If anyone has any good activity ideas, let me know!! 

 

 and when we didn't have keys or a phone and I needed to knock on the door! Don't look down, 

it's like a 20 foot drop! All was good. And now we have our own keys!

Another goal that Sister Nielsen and I have is to do a creative finding activity every week. The one we tried this week was a Free Kompot table. We thought it went pretty good. We discovered that if the elders did the table with us, then no one would come up and talk to us. However, if it was just Sister Nielsen and I, people would come up and talk and we would be surrounded by people who wanted to talk to us. We discovered that people, once they discovered that we were missionaries, were more interested in talking about the church then the free juice and would often leave with a Liahona, Book of Mormon, or Pamphlet, but no juice.

 

 

 

 US going shopping this morning with SIster hunt and Gillespie. 

We headed out to 7k again! Still just as sketch haha :)

Something that I have become aware this week is the reality of the gift of tongues! I am serving with a sister and combined we have been learning Russian for less then 8 months. Yet we can go talk to people and invite them and teach them! We have had great lessons this week, and I know it is the Lord blessing us! He LOVES me and will not let me fail! :) The gift of tongues is real, otherwise I would not be able to be doing this work! 

I don't have very much time today, we went shopping this morning so now I am in a hurry but I love you all! I'm so grateful for all that you do! You are examples to me! Do missionary work! Enjoy school! and work...if you don't go to school. and home too! Enjoy everything! 

Love Sister Ford!

New Transfer!!-Surprise! Mini-missionary

Dear Everyone! 

This week was CRAZY! I feel like transfer weeks usually are, but I've only ever experienced one so I don't really know! But anyways... 

So this week, Sister Hunt and I said goodbye to Sister Busch as she left our companionship to  train a new missionary down in Illyvtcsok (a small city on the beach South of Odessa).  That was kinda sad.  Our last day, we went out to pizza at Olios.  

 Sis. Hunt and I at Olios!!

 

It was fun, because we decided at the beginning of the transfer that if we had a baptism, we would eat lunch there! We were so excited and we went after district meeting.  That same day, every companionship in our district decided to eat there also. It was kinda funny, the workers didn't know what to think! 

 

 Our district

On her last day, we also had a music practice for a musical number that we did.  I don't know what it is about Ukraine, but musical people here are INTENSE! It was the most intense practive EVER! We started with squats, and stretches, and head swinging, and breathing exercises. It was CRAZY! And not to mention, there was no AC so we were sweating.  It was exciting. 

The last thing we did on the last day with Sister Busch was met with a lady and Natasha, our new member. We had a great lesson and then she fed us these delicious sweet rolls! It was fun! She also has the FATTEST dog I have ever seen.  This lady, baba Gancharova, is short and just about as round as she is tall, and her dog looks just like her. It is funny to see them together. But alas, her and the dog are both SUPER sweet ;) 

OH! Cool story, On Wednesday, Sister Hunt and I were together advertising for English when we came across this bridge! It was one of those Love bridges, where people attach locks and then throw the keys over the edge. It was so pretty! We were walking across it, when one of the locks caught the eye of Sister Hunt. We walked over and it said, "Provo Utah, LDS temple"! Crazy right! Small world! It was really awesome! 

 

 

So anyways from this point forward, my new companion is Sister Leavitt. She is 20 years old, darling, and super sweet! Her family works in Ukraine sometimes, and she studied Russian before her mission. She is super sweet and nice and caring! I LOVE HER! She is one transfer older then I am, and because she already knew Russian, she was only in the MTC for 2 weeks, in Spain.  So fun fact, both of us started our missions on the same day! March 27th! 

So the first night, Sister Hunt and Leavitt and I hosted a music night! It was so fun! We had like 20 members/investigators there. We had a sweet little girl sing about summer, and a couple young women sing/play the recorder, and then missionaries did some numbers. My district leader actually is a really good singer. He has some CDs out (I think) and he sang on a EFY Cd a while back, so of course, he stole the show.  haha :).  

But anyway, after the music night, one of the girls that performed (Lassia) came up and said that she wanted to serve a mini mission and asked if she could use our phone to call Presidet. So we let her and then she did and that was that. A little while later, actually when we got home, we received a call from the Assistants, telling us that either Sister Hunt or I was going to be put with a short term missionary.  Sister Hunt asked if she could, so they told us that in two days, Sister Gancharova, would be serving with her this transfer. It was a really sudden change, but we were excited! 

 

 

Fast Forward two days, when we pick her up and do weekly planning. OH boy! It was crazy! We quickly discovered that Sister Gancharova knows like no English. But we love her anyways! She is a darling 16 year old. It is funny because she is actually serving in the same area that her grandma lives! (See above baba Gancharova!!!!). But Sister Hunt is serving with her and I am with SIster Leavitt. The first day was really hard for everyone.  It was ALL russian and super hard to communicate! But thankfully, things are so much better now! We all are doing so great! 

So then Sister Leavitt and I were all by ourselves. It's been fun, a little crazy because I actually spent most of my time last transfer in the area that is now Sister Hunt's area, so I hardly know anyone, and Sister Leavitt doesn't know anyone either! So we have been trying to get to know people, especially people in the ward and in the Relief Society.  We set up a buch of member lessons this week, which is awesome because we will get fed a lot :)  

Most of the time when we have a lesosn with a member, they feed us because they are nice. I remember one time this week, this lady gave us ice cream, with homeade fruit jam and homeade juice, and candy. And  then as we were leaving, she gave us all the leftovers.  We basically walked home with our bags stufffed full of food! it was so funny! :) 

This week we also took 2 investigators to a Relief Society activity.  We learned how to make Greek Salad.  The ladies in Relief Society love me.  I think it because they think it is so funny because I can't really talk or understand anything.  They also think I am so cute because I am the first 19 year old in this ward so I am so young compared to all the other former sisters there! There is one lady espcially! Her name is Galina, and she loves me! I think she hugs me 6 times everytime she sees me! So cute! She told me that I am her favorite missionary. :) Everytime she sees me, she tells me that I need to relax more often.  It is really cute. 

 

HOW TO SLAM A SUPER KONTIK

Read all directions before beginning :) 

 

Step 1: 

Prepare a cup of Hot Chocolate.

 

Step 2: 

Open your package of Super Kontiks

 

Step 3: 

Find the hole in the super Kontik, where the filling was put in.

Step 4: 

First bit a small portion off, biting off the part with the hole.

Step 5:

Then flip the cookie over and bit off a small part directly across from the first hole

Step 6: 

Then place the cookie into the hot chocolate and suck the hot chocolate through the cookie, like a straw.

Step 7: 

The moment that you taste hot chocolate, quickly put the whole super kontik in your mouth and EAT IT!

 

Step 8: 

Be happy

 

So yesterday, all four of us went to visit a lady in the hospital.  It was a good visit, but the trip there was a little eventfully. I have been debating all day about if I should even tell you what happened, and I decided too, because I think it has a good moral to the story, but you have to promise not to freak out. (Especially you...MOM! Don't freak!)  Good? okay! 

So we got to the hospital, which was a bunch of buildings all in a complex. We were looking at the map of the hospital when two men started to approach us.  They were drunk (of course).  This actually isn't uncommon, people, especially drunk men, approach us all the time. Usually they leave us alone after we tell them to leave. But anyways....back to my story. They started trying to talk to us, you know, telling us that we had nice legs (always the weirdest compliment- we wear skirts over our knees...) and that they could help us know where to go.  We told them that we didn't need help and that we knew where to go but they kept pestering us, so finally we just walked away.  Normally, that is where it ends, but these two men followed us. So scary! I was walking in front of the other sisters and they stopped and I kept walking for about 2 seconds. By the time I realized that they had stopped, these two men had cornered me. I was stuck with one man blocking me from the sisters and the other approaching. They were saying things that I didn't understand and coming closer and closer.  By this point I was praying in my heart so much and I was saying to them over and over (in English), "Leave me alone, Stop it".  I was close to tears and had no idea what to do when suddenly one of them grabbed me.  The color drained from my face and I was more scared then I had ever been in my whole life.  THANKFULLY, at that moment, the moment he grabbed my arm, Sister Leavitt came up and said something and they both ran away. It was such a scary moment and I was shaking because I was so afraid. It took me a while to calm down (actually I didn't talk to a single man the rest of the night) but once I did, I realized how blessed I had been.  After that moment, I asked Sister Leavitt what she had said that was so effective so I could learn it.  She thought for a moment, then said, "I don't remember, I just knew you were in trouble, so I just ran over and words just came to my mind of what to say".  She said, "I know it was the spirit protecting us". And I totally agree. I don't know what I would have done if she hadn't been there or if she hadn't said something.  I know I was protected, but it was still SO scary! I had a rock in my stomach and it took a while, like into today, before I felt comfortable again.  But I realized that I will be safe, I have the Lord on my side.  And also, I have my companion. She won't abandon me and together, we will be safe and ALWAYS have backup! 

So please don't  worry about me, that isn't common and we are usually very safe. :) Plus we have the Lord watching over us! He really does protect His missionaries :) I know that is true! 

I love you all! Pray for us, and pray for missionaries all over the world! Pray for opportunitues to do missionary work yourselves! I really do pray for you often and love you SO much :) 

Sister Ford 

a late picture of last weeks baptism...

Week 6: One transfer already!!!!

(from Kati's mom!  If you leave Kati a comment then I will forward them to her!)

Man!  This week FLEW by!  It's crazy to think that in 3 weeks, I will be in UKRAINE!  WHAT?!?!  That's crazy!  I'm freaking out...a little!  But I am so excited!  I keep thinking maybe I should start packing, but I never do!  One day I will!

 

This week was so good!  It feels so good to be a missionary!  Plus it is SPRINGTIME!  I love Spring!  Everything is so pretty! I just don't want to take any of this for granted.  It is such a blessing to be able to be a missionary and to have this INCREDIBLE opportunity!  So good!

 

So update on the weirdness from last week: Poor Sister Montgomery was in Quarantine for 5 days!  Holy Cow, I feel so bad for her!  She was alone pretty much the whole time.  At one point, she had another roommate.  She told us she was so excited for this new roommate.  Turns out the new sister only spoke Japanese!  I thought that was funny!  She finally made it back though and realized how much we love her!  She is a great addition to our disctrict. BUT the sickness continued... I was sick Wednesday night and Thursday.  It was so sad.  On Wednesday, We were teaching a lesson to some volunteers.  I opened my mouth at one point and was like 80 percent positive that I was going to puke.  I didn't want to puke so I started crying.  Weird, I know!  The poor volunteers had no idea what to do (They were both 24 year old men...awkward!) That's when they made me call the doctor.  Turns out, the Tamiflu that we took made me so sick!  I had to stay in bed all day Thursday!  I slept for 17 hours that day!  Then I felt much better. I saw the doctor a couple times also, and he was very helpful! I also got a blessing from our Elders.  We have great Elders in our district!  We also had an elder take a trip to the ER, turns out he has bronchitis.  But now we are all healthy!  Thank goodness!

 

But now that we are all good, we have been having so much fun!  It is great to be a missionary!

 

Story time: We took a Russian grammar test.  it is the same one that they give to teachers, so it is really hard.  I got a 47 percent, so not horrible...but not good either!  That was something exciting that we did this week!

 

sister Hunt and I with out Katners

I fell in love with beach volleyball this week!  It is so much fun!  We do a 20 minute workout and then we play volleyball!  So fun and we get to be outside!  :) I also started training Sister Hunt and Lee this week.  They wanted someone to encourage them to workout!  On Friday, I couldn't work out but I did train them!  It was so fun! They were so sore the next day!  So awesome...

 

Sunday was so great!  We had sacrament meeting and I bore my testimony in RUSSIAN!  So cool!  Can you believe that next Fast Sunday I will actually be in Ukraine! Holy cow!  Good thing I practiced this month!

We also had some really great meetings!  I learned some techniques about contacting that are really cool!  Our branch president especially focused on contacting in Eastern Europe so that was awesome!!! Then we had a Mission Conference when we had a bunch of speakers from the MTC.  It was super good. 

That night Chad Lewis came and spoke (you know, from the NFL!).  It was a great talk!  You know, if he can learn Chinese, I think I can learn Russian!  He told some great stories and it was like a HUGE pep talk!  I was so pumped up when it ended!  Haha!

 

Also, I finished my first planner!  6 weeks and done!  How awesome!  I started and decorated a new one!  It has a giraffe on it!

 

This week we did a lot of clothes trading.  That is kinda fun!  It's funny how quickly we get tired of our clothes haha!  But that was super fun!

 

Sister Lee's and I switching outfits!!! 

Compliment of the week:  Apparently I type really fast in Russian, which is awesome to hear!  It made me so happy! :)

 

notes from our teachers 

This week, Sister Sink and I taught a lesson to our district in English! We taught about the Book of Mormon.  It was a really good discussion and the Spirit was so strong!  I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it will answer any question that someone has through sincere prayer and reading the Book of Mormon!  I love that book!  It blesses my life so much! I challenge everyone to read from it for 10 minutes everyday this week! I know if you do, your lives will be blessed enormously! I promise that! 

 

These are all my engraved scriptures!  So cute, right :) 

 Below is what I wrote to my branch presidency:

 

 "Wow! This week flew by! It was really good, for the most part! I was sick last Thursday and I was surprised at how hard it was to come back and work all day after just being sick for 1 day. That shows how diligent we must be when we are out in the field, because if I even slack off for just 1 day, it will be super hard to come back. I was also surprised by how much I missed missionary work even though I was really sick and sleeping all day. I didn't want to miss any opportunities to be learning and serving! I love being a missionary and I really love being a healthy missionary!   

This week we had some really amazing lessons. Our investigators are really progressing. It is great to be able to help them and invite them. Sasha is doing really well. We taught him about the Plan of Salvation this week. It was so amazing to teach him that his family that he loves so much can be with him forever! What a blessing that we have. I have really learned a lot about the Plan of Salvation this week and to top it off, we did sealings at the temple today. I don't even think I can express how blessed I feel to know that my family and I can be together FOREVER! What an awesome message to share!

We also began teaching Maria this week. I barely know Maria but I love her. It is the first time that I have taught someone that I feel like I have a lot in common with. I just want to teach her because I know it will make her so happy! I can't wait to teach her again!

We also taught Max again. The lesson was so good. We introduced the Book of Mormon and then we talked a little bit about it. The lesson was good, and then we showed a video of Jeffery R Holland introducing the Book of Mormon. Max loved the video and he was very touched by it. We were able to close with our testimonies and he was very eager to read the book and pray about it, so that was super exciting! It was one of the best lessons we have ever had.

Also, this week my love for the Book of Mormon grew so much. I'm not sure how that it is even possible because I already loved it so much but honestly it did. I just want to tell everyone how great it is, all the time! I know that God answers prayers through it and He does so EVERYTIME I ask! What a blessing! It was a great week!"

 

I'm not really sure what else to say!  Oh!  We get 2 new roommates today!  We have 30 new Russian speakers coming into our zone today, 21 sisters and 9 Elders! CRAZY, I know!

 

Oh yeah!  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!  Just so everyone knows, I have the BEST mom!  For realz!  To my mom and other women that I look up to, my present to you is to invite each of you to go to LDS.org and watch the "To Every Mother" video.  Seriously, if you are a female and you have talked to me before, go watch it! I wouldn't be here today without the loving influence of the beautiful ladies in my life!  I love that I know you!  Thanks for everything that you do!  I feel your love and prayers and I love and pray for you in return!  I hope you have a great day Sunday! And all this week!

 

I love you all!  Be happy! 

Sister Ford <3