cherkassy

5/18/15

So good to hear from you mama.

First thing I just need to say thank you. You are the sweetest. I hope

I didn't worry you to much. when I tell you things I do not tell you

them to make you stressed, though I know me telling you this will do

no good because you will worry anyway.

Also before I forget: tell carson thank you for making doodle happy

with dedicating that song to him. I don't know why but the small

things just mean the most. And i appreciate that you tell me those

things. Makes me feel like everyone is ok at home.

I already emailed dad and told him this and you can both read both

emails. I am not sending out a big one today, unless you want to

publish this one. I am good with whatever. But I am going to be real

in this email.

I am so far away from home. It makes my heart ache because ya, I have

never really done anything without you guys. This place is wonderful

though I was confused my first few days why my heart wasn't happier. i

mean for goodness sakes I have been waiting and pinning for 8 months

to get here. Then I came to this beautiful "small" city of Cherkassy

and just felt, sad. Because it is hard. We talk in Russian, yes I knew

we would be doing that. Ha! i remember the first time I heard a small

small child start talking in Russian and I panicked. SMALL CHILDREN

SPEAK RUSSIAN. EVEN BABIES. HOW DO THEY KNOW THIS LANGUAGE?! It is

pretty crazy. One of the hard things about Cherkassy is the fact that

we have no investigtors here. We are searching everyday. Doing so

many different activities to try and find. We even teach two levels of

english classes to attract people. Most of the people tell us that

they don't need the gospel here. There have been real moments of

struggle as people warn us to never come back again or scream in our

faces. (Mom don't worry I am ok). But I love these people anyway,

because I know that God loves them and he wants them to come home.

They may just not be ready right now. And that is ok. We will keep

searching. there are rare but beautiful moments when we find people

on the street who will stop and talk and take the book of Mormon. But

they never want to meet later for more information. It is ok. I am

determined and I know that God is preparing at least someone here to

accept the gospel. We may just have to dig through the entire city in

order to find them. As for the Russian! This is crazy stuff. I can't

believe I am actually speaking this language. There is SO MUCH I do

not know. Also people talk a mile and hour here and I think I have

realized why. They have such giant words that no one would actually be

able to speak the language unless they fly over the words. ;P

Mama. The pain is real. I have never experienced anything like this

and I know it will continue to get harder. But all I can do is be

grateful. There is no other way I could so completely turn and rely on

my Savior and grow this much. I feel him with me everyday. I pray all

day and it brings me a lot of peace. Satan is very real. not only to

the people here we are trying to help, but he is real for the

missionaries. He does not want us here. He knows the prophecy that

there will be 100's of thousands of people converted to the Lord here

and temple spires dotting the land and he is persistent. I am learning

that we have to be more persistent than the adversary will be.

Now for a great moment of much importance.

YOU ALL SHOULD BE SO PROUD OF ME:

there was a baby SPIDER in the hair of the Babooshka we were teaching

the other day. I took it out with my BARE HAND. how incredible is

that? President Packer says we need to celebrate and count each

victory we have during the day since this mission is really hard.

Well, VICTORY!!!! It was a huge deal for me. Because I hate spiders so

much. After I took it out I wanted my hand to fall off. BUT there was

no way I could just leave it there. I really love that Babooshka.

Cherkassy is beautiful. everything is so green and the buildings are

just fantastic. Oh, did I mention that my church building is PINK?! It

is. I love it oh so much. We had about 40 members there on Sunday and

there is many inactives as well that we work with. I bore a 5 minute

testimony on the book of mormon in sacrament! Can you believe it? I

was embarrassed because the branch president could see my legs just

shaking behind the podium.

I know it is all going to be ok. I so appreciate your prayers. I feel

them so strongly and hearing from you all really does make everything

ok. This is really hard but I want you to know that I am ok and that

this is worth it. Pray for these people, pray for me and my companion.

It is hard because this is her last transfer and she has to train a

new B who is so reliant on her. I understand it is tough and she is

awesome. Hopefully my Russian will just grow better and better. I love

you guys so much.

Mom read dad's email too because it explains more.

I am so glad AK had a great birthday and you have all been doing so

great. Mom you really do fly up that hill don't you?1 so excited for

you to train me on the bike when I get back :D I know that I can do

this, because God is here. This is his work. I am lucky and blessed to

be a part of it.

I love you so much! Have a wonderful amazing grand week! I will too.

love KY

PS: I will try to send some photos :) <3

PPS: I wish I had more time. :(