The Lord will either " lead us to them, or He will lead them to us "

Seriously, where do I start?? This week has been so incredible. I love going out and talking to people. I have my moments where it takes so much courage to approach others and talk with them, and then somedays it will be so easy and I feel like I just want to do it all day! Yesterday, we went out and contacted for 4 hours, while on our way to contacting former investigators and stopping by less- actives. The weekends are great opportunities for proselyting and teaching when families  are home.

So last night, we were on our way to find this former investigator. We walked up the street and we were almost at her apartment. Then I had this feeling to turn around and walk back. I walked a few steps and I still had this feeling. So I told my companion how I felt and we turned around. As we were walking up the street I was looking around and thinking to myself " Who is it that we must talk to or what is it that we must do?" 

And then just out of nowhere, I saw this young man approaching me, he was  from Africa about 25yrs. We both looked at each other like we knew each other and he greeted me with a big " Heyy! How are you doing!!" in English. 

Seriously it was like we had already met each other before! His name is Joe and is from Nigera. He would get along so well with our new converts from Africa.We invited him to our English practice and to church on Sunday and he said he will come!

I know that The Lord will place people in our path everyday that are being prepared to receive the Gospel. My mission President emphasised the words " Being prepared " because many missionaries get discouraged that every contact or conversation they have doesn't turn into a 'baptism' or that they cant see immediate results of their efforts.

Being prepared means that they will eventually receive the Gospel. It could be right now. It may take them a few months. It may take them a few years or even decades. We just always need to be ready and in tune with the Spirit because The Lord will either " lead us to them, or He will lead them to us ". He will guide us by the Spirit if we are humble and ready to listen. I have found that is always the case in missionary work . Humility is so important! Whenever I have tried to do things my own way, it never works! We will only be successful if we do it the Lords way .

 How can we know His way?

Im so grateful for the Scriptures, for The teachings of the Prophets, For the example of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, The Restoration of The Gospel , Temples, that teach us of the Lords ways and of His Love for each of us. My testimony of these things has grow so much over the past 5 months I have been out on my mission. Wow, how time flies! Ill be reaching my 6 month mark very soon! Love you!!!!

Love Sister Andersonxxxx

$100 note...

It has been a big week! We had mission conference which was so inspirational! 

I received a confirmation there that my Mission President , President Kleibingat has been called by God to help us missionaries fulfill our purpose and to direct the work here in the Ukraine , Kyiv mission. Just like my brother Elder Anderson, I love my mission President! I'm very grateful for him. 

So, ill be here in Bovary for another transfer and I'm really looking forward to it. I love Brovary. Its a small cute town east of Kyiv.

We have a few recent converts here. Two of them are from Africa. They speak english. They are about 23, 24yrs and dont have very much . Last night, we went to their new apartment with the other missionaries.  A member had helped them move, and all they had were two bags full of clothes and a few other things. There apartment was bare . My heart really went out to them.

As my companion and I prayed last night about what we could do to help them in some way, my mind come across an experience I had when I was travelling to Ukraine out of the MTC. I came across a man in the Detroit airport. He was about 50yrs or so and looked like a wealthy man. I started talking to him and turns out he was a member- a faithful member. 

He had served a mission and his children also served missions. Just before I boarded the plane, he hands me a  US $100 note and says " Now, I want you to keep this until you come across someone or a family who really needs this and who you feel impressed to give it to.  Please do this for me. "

I felt really good about this and that these two young boys  really needed it and that this man, who I have never met before has been an answer to someones need and prayer. So today we went out and got them some cutlery for their home, some pots and plates, a picture of the Savior framed and a few other things. 

The other missionaries have also contributed  and the branch are going to help out too. Tonight we will have a family home evening with them and  give it to them. Im so excited for it! :)  I love serving others and helping them come closer to The Lord. It is the greatest feeling :) I love you all! and miss yous!

Love Sister Anderson xxx

Feeling the Spirit as a young man testifies of the Saviour...

Just a short one today my family! 

It was such a beautiful spring day today! Its getting a little warmer, all the snow has melted and its heating up! Soon I wont have to wear my big puffy jacket.

On Tuesday I had to go into downtown Kyiv to do registration, which is down the road from where the shooting happened. 

It was very sad to see the effects of what happened in central Kyiv. A lot of buildings have been ruined and burned down and there is just a big mess everywhere.The whole situation has calmed right down though. 

Things are looking like they are clearing up! Its still a little dangerous down south of Ukraine and they had to remove all the missionaries there but everything looks okay where I am in little Brovary. Such a  blessing. The Lord is watching out for us :) 

On the way back from registration, we caught the metro train and a young man about 23yrs walked in  and sat down. My companion and I had immediate impressions to talk to him. So we did and found out he is a really religious person and he started sharing with us his testimony of The Savior.

I have never felt the spirit so strong from a non member before, as he bore his testimony of The Savior. It was so powerful. My companion and I felt it.

We introduced him to and bore our testimonies of The Book Of Mormon and the Message of The Restoration. We are hoping to meet him tomorrow and pass him on to the Elders. I know that every person is given the light Of Christ and that " The Light Of Christ will lead the honest soul who ' hearkeneth to the voice' to find the true Gospel and true church ."

Our job as missionaries, members and teachers is  " making contact with the Spirit of Christ already there. "  - Preach my Gospel 

I love missionary work! Im grateful for the constant companionship of The Holy Ghost. It is truly a gift from The Lord, to have a member of The Godhead by your side each and everyday so long as we are worthy of it. What a blessing. :)

Love you all so much xx

 Sister Anderson

The faith of a young father in Ukraine...

Hey my family! How is everything going?

Things are doing okay back here. Its been a tough week but Im so grateful for The Gospel Of Jesus Christ that can give us comfort and peace through these troubling times. 

We have been in and out of our apartment due to whats happening in Ukraine, nevertheless, miracles never cease when you have faith!

On Tuesday we did some former investigator contacting. Despite the fact that none of them were home, we talked to everyone we saw on the way and had some very good conversations with people, invited them to our  English classes, church and gave out some pamphlets and invited a babushka to church! Its amazing to see The Lord put people in your way when you are doing your best to bring " Souls to Him". 

My companion and I were walking to English that night when we came to an intersection. We crossed and noticed a car stuck in the middle of the road with a young Mother and her little children in there. She was so stressed out and didnt know what to do. She had stalled! My companion and I turned around and walked out on the Road and asked if she needed help. 

There were lines and lines of cars at the back of her and on the other side of the road. She opened the door and said  Yes please!!" We helped push her car about 10 metres into a car park . It was a pretty cool moment and pretty funny pushing the car in our skirts! haha. My companion and I couldn't stop smiling . Her little daughter about Anataria's age was standing at the back looking out the window at us, smiling! It was so cute! That made my day :) 

We pushed her car into the parking lot, and she got out and said " Sank you!" She couldn't stop thanking us and was so grateful for what we had done. We got her number and invited her to our English practice and to church. I know that it wasn't a coincidence that we were there, at that moment to help this lady. I know the Lord will put opportunity before us to serve people if we just pray for them and look for them. that was an answer to our prayers that day to just serve someone.

Yesterday, we got to church and our members looked really down and sad about whats happening to their country. The Sisters and I planned to do something that night to uplift their Spirits. So we went around to all the members homes last night and sang some hymns and dropped them off some treats. 

They appreciated that so much and thanked us so much. 

We sang to a young father and his family who is so concerned about it all and it really uplifted them. The young father, Sasha said " It makes us happy when you are here. We are so happy that you are still here with us. We know that if you are still here, we will be okay ". It made us realize that there is a power and Spirit within missionary work and our calling as Missionaries. And that wherever the Lord decides to put missionaries is a blessing and strength to that area.

 Thank you for taking care of the Sister missionaries in our ward! :) Thank you Polly for all your work that you're doing. Im so proud of you my family! 

I love this work. Im so grateful to serve here in Ukraine. Its really tough here at the moment but I know That The Lord will guide and protect us. I know That Jesus Christ is our Saviour and that there is no suffering, no affliction , no pain , no trial that we go through  that is not swallowed up through His Atonement.

 I love My Saviour and I have felt Him so close on my mission  . He is in this work and He Directs it. He knows it. I know He knows each and everyone of us and understands everything we go through.

I love you my family. You are amazing. Keep up your missionary efforts.

Thank you so much for your email, I needed that dad,  It  really uplifted me :) thank you x

Yes President Klebingat has been communicating with us, I spoke to him on Tuesday.  Hes the best dad, I love President -he is on the outlook for us giving us updates through our district leaders.

Dad, dont worry okay, everything will be okay, President told me you wrote him, is that right dad??

Im glad to have a protective daddy :) So yeah dont worry Dad, If things get worse dad, 

all the missionaries will be moved out of Ukraine and into the State side missions in The US. 

But thats the very last option.   So dont worry dad, President has his plans. But I think everything will clear up soon and it will be okay :)

How are you? Hows the family? :) haha love the photos! :)

Thank you for all your prayers :) keep your heads up and keep smiling! :)

Love Cectpa Anderson