Blessed with the spirit because I don't know what anyone's saying :)

Hello everyone! 

So things are still really great here! Sorry I didn't really get to explain my investigators at all last week! First of all we have been meeting with this amazing woman named Yulia. She has a pretty sweet story because she has known about the church for about 7 years because she is married to a member who is less active and she has already investigated the church, but for some reason stopped, although for the past few months she has been coming to church.  Then just recently came to us because she decided she wanted to be baptized! So we've been teaching her  and she is really awesome and has been reading the Book of Mormon and is basically already living all the commandments and she knows a lot already. She's doing great and wants to be baptized on April 6th, It has been an amazing growing experience for me in learning to listen and act on the promptings of the spirit, because in our lessons even though I usually don't know what they are saying, I receive promptings to say or share things and then Sister Bolingbroke tells me after that it worked really good with what they were talking about and it is what she needed to hear. She has a 4 year old daughter who can't walk and she is so cute and hilarious! 

We also started meeting with this lady named Yelena, she smokes but wants to quit, we gave her the first lesson  and a Book of Mormon and taught her how to pray. She told us of how hard life had been and that she was looking for something that can bring her hope and I felt the spirit super strong the whole time. What was super cool was that sister Bolingbroke called the next day and she said that after we left, she felt so light, that she had never felt anything like that before! And that she hadn't smoked because when she thought of it she felt sick! We have been fasting and praying for that and hopefully it will continue!

BTW, everyone's names here are all the same!! ahahah it's true! and it is so hard for me to know who people are talking about but hopefully I'll learn aha.

-Cecтра хорн

1-3 We went out to the country side to visit a member and took some cool pics and met a babushka holding a rooster who let us pet it:)

4- I felt like drawing this while Sis. B was making some calls and it has John 14:27 on it, and we gave it in a Book of Mormon but I took a pic first!

5, they have juices from everything here! haha. I had to try banana juice! It's pretty good!

6. Our Hezyka (landlady) made us pancakes for the pancake day! ( they have holidays for everything here aha) 

7. cute mini van!

Also good news from Morgan I have received!! : Tony received the Aaronic priesthood and is going to the temple to do baptisms and has already found a name from his line to do! Also little James who I told you guys we started teaching, got baptized! Super awesome!

Goglia! Gogoglia!

Hi everyone!

It has been an awesome first full week here in Ukraine!! It feels like I've been here forever, but in a good way, it's so weird! Everyday is an adventure and so fun with Sister Bolingbroke and with the hilarity of Ukraine. Something funny that happened was on the way to meet the branch president and his family ( his wife and daughter are not members) to have family home evening  with them and the Sullivans ( the mission president) we were supposed to get off of the marshootka at a stop called something like Gogollia and we didn't know how to say it or where it was and it was so crowded that we couldn't ask  the driver so I started yelling goglia! goglia! kto nibood! (anyone) ahaha and it worked lol, a babushka said we just passed it aha.

Super cool we have two new investigators!

sorry I still haven't gotten the hang of writing in this time frame still. And the computer at the internet cafe even turned off on me! So I'll try something different next week!

Sorry!

 Heavenly Father is aware of us and loves so much!

Cectpa Xoph

Soviet commander E. G. Pushkin T-34 tank memorial

The ancient kurgan stelae near the Historical Museum

Cathedral of the Transfiguration 

I made it!! I'm in Ukraine!

Jk! I have some pics from Morgan first! 

We had a super fun last p-day there! We went to RUSH again! (1) with our district and Sis Novotny came!

(2) Had dinner with Bonnie, I love her so much!

(3) Saying goodbye to President and Sister Jaggi who are amazing!  I haven't gotten a picture with President and Sister Sullivan ( new mission president) yet but I will!

Priviet everyone!!!

I'm finally here in Ukraine and I'm loving it! The flight was probably  the longest I've ever been on, totally about 2 days with the time change but about 18 hours of flying I think and alone. Haha, I tried to sleep most of the way. I had to change planes four times which was a pain with my (probably 40 pound) carry on etc. and went through security about 3 times, I had no idea where I was going most of the time but some how.. I made it here in one piece with all my luggage! Yay! 

My companion's name is Cectpa Bolingbroke ( pronounced like bowling and a brook) and she is so awesome! She's super funny and chill but a hard worker and teaches me a lot about how things work here and the language. She even made me green russian pancakes (basically crepes:)) for my first being a greenie! She's actually from Layton, Utah, so that's funny because that's apart of my Utah, Ogden Mission. She's a little bit of a prankster ahah. And so when her and her two previous companions came to pick me up from the airport, while they were bored waiting in the airport they thought of switching things up so the sister from Ukraine was the one talking to me and said that sister sevran was my companion but couldn't speak so she was speaking "sigh language " with her and Sister Bolingbroke just couldn't speak english... lol it was interesting but I think it didn't go as well as they planned because I fell for it, I was just super confused what was going on so, I just went with it ahahaha. I thought it was funny though! 

I'm living in the big city Dnepropetrovsk!( You can actually just say *Neper* now though, so don't worry about trying to pronounce Dnepropetrovsk) Aha actually it's just about half the size of Calgary I think, quite different though. It's been a fun time here! Even though I have no idea what anyone is saying I have already made a couple of friends:) The members are great here! super friendly! On the street... not as friendly... but I still think everyone here is just so much cooler then I ever will be haha. They all wear big winter coats, lots of fur here, big shopka (fur hats) and toques with big fur pompoms, even though it has actually been pretty warm (considering my face isn't frozen lol) the last couple of days! 

We are actually in 2 districts because we're over 2 areas so that's cool. More friends! All the missionaries have been super nice and welcoming. Something unique about Ukraine is the public transport system. There are little (and big) buses called marshootkas everywhere! There are mostly little ones and so they're basically big vans and tons of people just squish in so tight! I was surprised because you just pass the money up and say "peredightye dva pajalsta" and they pass it up to the driver and then they pass the change all the way. Everyone is very trusting!

I bore my testimony in sacrament meeting yesterday and everyone said I did really well so that's a good sign! I also gave out a couple of English cards out ( we teach free English classes)  so I'm proud of my first week being an extreme amateur in this cool country. Life is great. The Lord helps you when you pray! Pray always!

Dang I hate that I now only have 1 and a half hours to write!! There's so much to say and not enough time! I'll tell more about Ukraine next time! 

Love you!

Сестра Хорн

Sorry the pictures wouldn't download but I will take lots this week and figure it our next week!

My Visa waited for Tony to get Baptized!!! 😁🌈

"I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain, and ponder on the beauty of earth made clean again. I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain, I want to be the best I can, and live with God again." 🎶

^^ One of my favorite  primary songs ever! We sang it at my baptism when I was 8 and now almost every time I hear it, it makes me tear up.  On Saturday we sang it again because.. Tony got baptized!! It was such a happy day! :))  A lot of people came to support him, from his ward and also all our wonderful senior missionary couples who's sweet sisters have been a part of Tony's teaching process by always being so willing to drive to Layton and be with me for our lessons. I'm not worried for him because he has a great support from his ward. The bishop baptized him and the members he lives with each gave great talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost, in Russian which was good so Tony could understand... I didn't understand much except certain words but we could still all feel the spirit. 

I thought that song was also relevant because it has rained so much this week and warmed up so almost all the snow - the 6 feet high piles of snow - have melted away!! We can even see  some green grass here, coming out from hiding. The earth is clean. Tony has been washed clean, reborn in Christ and has entered the strait gate, and started on the narrow path that leads to eternal life. 

And me... I'm about to start a new journey as well! IN UKRAINE. Yup that's right.. I got my Visa! 

Everyone I hope you realize that you are witnessing a pretty awesome miracle right now. I don't know if I have ever seen the hand of God guiding His work, so apparent or clear before as I do right now. Heavenly Father knows and loves Tony so much. No it is not a coincidence that   my visa didn't come and I was sent to this mission a week before the missionaries found him. I was sent here to teach him. I know it with all my heart and I am so grateful  that the Lord gave me that opportunity. I'm crying right now as I write this because I have gained such a strong testimony this week that Heavenly Father is aware of us.

 He was aware of Tony and his willingness to accept the gospel but also his need to hear it taught in his native language. 

He is aware of me. That I really wanted to see Tony be baptized but also that I felt ready to leave and didn't know if I could keep my Russian for much longer. - Transfers were this last Wednesday and the Sister from the MTC who were going to my mission as well left on Tuesday. My mission President called us on Thursday saying my visa had arrived and he said that the travel people could have booked the flight for that day, Friday, Saturday but they booked it for Tuesday afternoon. Allowing me to go to the baptism ( and I'll even be able to go through the temple Tuesday morning! :) )

I testify that Heavenly Father is aware of you. He knows you and has a plan for you. As you put your trust in Him he will lead and guide you. I know He is there, watching over us.

My time in the Ogden Mission has been amazing. I have learned and grown a lot. I have met so many amazing people.  Although I was a little upset upon finding out I wouldn't be going to Ukraine,  this entire transfer has been a miracle and I wouldn't trade the time I've had here for anything. I am going to miss the mountains and the people, those others who we are working with but I have confidence that the Lord, and Sister Tayco and her new companions will take care of them. I have accomplished what the Lord needed me to do here and now I'm looking forward to experiencing even more miracles in the land of perogies across the sea!

Happy Valentines!  I love you so much! 💗💗

-(Last time I'll be " Sister ") Horne


- Tony's baptism! 






- A couple of our senior couples whom we love




- Service at Bonnie's again:) ( I got to see bunnies!)



-  Beautiful Morgan Valley mountains




- Bye Sister Tayco♡♡





- all my name tags!

Tony

YOOOOOOO, 

It has been a great week!! Sister Tayco and I are getting the hang of everything here but it has also helped that we've seen a bunch of miracles! So first is... guess what?! Tony is getting baptized!!! This next Saturday!! I am so excited for him guys. Even though his wife isn't here yet, he had been talking with her about the gospel and praying to know what to do. He knows it's true and has a strong desire to follow the example of Jesus Christ!  He decided that this is what Heavenly Father wants him to do and what he wants to do and since then we've been preparing for the 11th! He has such a strong faith in Jesus Christ, and everything just clicks with him, and he's so willing to obey God's commandments and, really,  the gospel is something that he knew before this life and we're just reminding him of it. I can see that. Tony is just awesome and I'm so excited for this next week to see him enter the waters of baptism! 

Yes, I'm pretty sure now that I will be staying here for another transfer. I mean technically if I get it in the next couple of days then I could still go but, I have a feeling I'll probably stay.

Another awesome thing is that we have a new investigator!  He's in our area now and speaks English haha, but he's a super cute little ten year old boy named James and he is also on date for a few weeks from now!! 

We went to a baptism on Saturday of the little eight year old daughter of one of the ward mission leaders  we work closely with. It was a really spiritual experience. I cried a lot haha. Even though I don't really even know her, they sang "Gethsemane " and that song always gets me, like I have no chance once I hear the chorus.. I'm gone.  Haha. Also it was really cool cause she was actually adopted from China and all the family has worked to learn mandarin after getting her so her one brother baptized her in mandarin. Also their oldest son is just about to leave on his mission to Korea so he was able to confirm her and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

I know the church is true. I have received even more witnesses of it just in this week.  I love you all!

Сестра Horne

Our district!

 

Bowling on p-day:)

Buried in SNOW

Hello my droogee ( friends )!

So this was our first week with just Sister Tayco and I, taking on the very snowy valley that is Morgan County. So far.. we have survived! Haha. Although it is pretty crazy how much snow we've gotten down here! While you all Calgary folk have a nice Chinook breeze I'm sure (I got a weather app ;)) we have gotten about 3 feet of snow this past week, about 20 inches in just the weekend I think. There are giant piles of snow everywhere and the walkways to people houses are as if you're walking in a maze of snow hedges! Those are the result of the snow blowers that pretty much everyone around here has. I have had to contain myself from jumping into them quickly a few times ahaha... if only I had snow pants.. Oh well aha. The other day when it finally stopped snowing we shoveled the snow off the driveways of a couple of our neighbors. There was so much snow and the driveways here are pretty big so it took a long time for us just to do two! but it felt good to help. And I made a furry friend while shoveling, a neighbor's cat who loved me and almost followed me back into our house haha.

We had a few big conferences this week. We had a new missionary training conference for all those who came at the same time as me. Then we saw the worldwide missionary broadcast where they made a few changes to the schedule and the key indicators ( what we report back ) which was interesting to see, the changes weren't huge but the main difference with schedule is it gives us more of a chance to use our agency on when we should do things. The Lord trusts His missionaries! And one huge thing I've seen this week as I rely more on the Lord, He truly does comfort and guide and strengthens me. You see miracles when you put your trust in the Lord.
 

Also another awesome thing we got  to go to was a missionary conference with Elder Christopherson! It was an awesome experience and we ( all the mission) got to sing the EFY medley for a special number. It was hard not to laugh though when we were practicing because our conductor made us sing some parts super slow ahah. His words were very inspiring and helpful in learning how to be better missionaries and work with the ward more, one thing I loved that he said in his testimony was that the Lord is actively leading His church; He is doing a great work and sometimes He let's us help. I love that, and I know it's so true. He also said that our confidence can be in His ability to bring people unto Him. We are His hands, but it's His work.

Still waiting patiently for my visa.. this will be the last week until another transfer starts. But I love it here in Morgan and I'm happy to serve wherever the Lord needs me.

Love you all!

1. We also got to see Sis Novotny there! It was right beside the beautiful Ogden temple.

3-8 animals from last week

9 an old burned down church I found

We bought a zoo

Добрый день!

Time is going by way fast! I can't believe I've only got two more weeks of this transfer left! It's definitely been an interesting week! We had my first zone conference, which was really good! We learned more creative ways to find people and we studied Lehi's vision from the Book of Mormon. I learned that EVERYONE was enveloped in the darkness-- no matter who we are we will all have temptations and trials-- but only those who were CLINGING to the rod of iron - which is the word of God- were those who made it to the tree of life ( which is interpreted to be the love of God, or pure joy). Guys! the Book of Mormon is so amazing and reading the word of God everyday is the thing that will keep us on the narrow path that leads to true joy.

On Thursday we had exchanges;  which is where the Sister training leaders switch with companionship for 24 hours and so sister Tayco left and Sister Harris came. That day though, we got to do service for this awesome lady we know who always needs a lot of help on her farm. So I got to put some water in the horse and bulls pens. Sweep the barn and shovel manure, fun! Haha! it really was though. I love doing service. Especially when there are animals involved aha. This is the place where we petted the horses before, she has a stallion and a bunch of other horses. She also had a super puffed up cat so I picked her up and yelled "It's so FLUFFY!" Hahah. I have been very fortunate to be in an area where so many people have pets and farms with tons of different animals and I try my best to meet and pet as many as I can! Lol. Dogs, cats, bulls, horses, zebras, goats, camels... What? Zebras and camels? Hahah yup that's right! 

Another day we also got to meet some cool wild animals at a lady's house where she adopts and rescues these cool animals. She got a zebra just cause she wanted to but she also took in a donkey, a camel named Cairo, fainting goats and buffalo!  It was so cool! I got to feed the camel ( anyone who follows me on Instagram.. this would be my 4th;) ) I'll send the pictures of that next week:)

We got some sad news this week though. Sister Novotny will be leaving us tomorrow for an emergency transfer to Ogden. A sister there is going home with a medical release and so Sister Novotny will be replacing her and will stay there until the end of her mission ( march)! We have become really good friends already and I'm going to miss her a lot! 😢 Also I don't exactly know how we're going to survive without her... cause you see, now it will only be just the two of us, Sister Tayco and I, here in the Morgan County area. Sister Tayco only having been out here for 10 weeks or so and me 4, still having no clue what I'm doing some of the time to be honest.. hahah but it is what it is and I know that we can do it because we will have help all along the way from our Heavenly Father and nothing is impossible with Him on our side. I have hope. " I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. And I have definitely already been strengthened this week to the ability to not stress about this too much and be positive, I haven't had a breakdown yet!👍 But stay tuned for next week;) and definitely still keep us in your prayers!! :)

Tony is still doing great! We saw him a few times this week but not as many as last week because of exchanges and I'm sure he wanted a little break from us anyway lol but we did have a really sweet experience where one of the elders who teach with me, elder McGurt ( he's hilarious and sometimes talks pretty fast and with more complicated words) gave Tony a priesthood blessing because he was feeling kind of sick and it was a really nice blessing and elder McGurt actually spoke way slower and so I think Tony actually understood it.

God loves you!! I love you! I love the Lord and I love doing His work!  Have an awesome week!

До свидания

Сестра Horne

1. Zone conference - and I picked the funny one because I look bad in the other one

7. A giant icicle I broke off when we were knocking on doors one cold night 

8. There are huge piles of snow on the side of the road so we got on/in one!  Bye sis novotny:(