I'm Fine.....

For all who are reading this: 

Things are good, and I'm safe. No, I'm not locked up in my apartment, nor am I avoiding being hit by rocks and tear gas. There are things going on in our city, but I'm just really happy I'm safe in the L'viv Mission, that's all I can say. 

I came across a really awesome quote:

"The work will never be concluded until our Lord and Master says, "It is enough." There are lives to brighten. There are hearts to touch. There are souls to save." 

That was from our beloved Prophet Thomas S. Monson from the recent conference. I just love that. It gives me a lot of hope that the work will continue on until the Savior comes again...that no man or government can hault the work of the Lord. That no missionary leaving the field will conclude the work. It will continue.

Also, I was watching The Prophet of the Restoration this week, and at the end it shows a shot of the heavens after Joseph is killed, and you hear the voice of Joseph uttering the words,

"My Lord my God."

I thought I was going to die with the amount of love, deep honor, and respect that filled me for the Prophet Joseph. I was completely overcome with the strongest emotions.

John Taylor said it best when he wrote that the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants cost the "best blood of the 19th century". 

The thought came to me this morning during personal study that maybe I was led to teach our investigator to learn a thing or two about Joseph Smith. I had a testimony of him, and I knew he was a prophet, but the conviction of, and gratitude for this incredible man has grown over the last month as I've searched high and low in church history for more info on him.

Anyway, our investigator is doing great, but she's still got a few hang ups. Please pray for her! We're really pulling for her to be ready to be baptized next month.

This week I get my final transfer call. I honestly can't believe it, but I'm really excited to hear what's going to happen. I secretly have in my heart what I want to happen, but I'll just keep that to myself. Also, Mom, stop being so trunky, okay? The members are telling me how trunky my mom is on facebook, Haha. :) But I love you, and I miss you!!

Thanks for all the support. And I'm also grateful that Dallin writes me every week so I can continue wiping tears from my face. Killer, I tell ya. What a hoot.

I LOVE YOU ALL! Don't you doubt it one bit. 

Love, 

Sister Webber

It's Snowing

It's snowing. It probably has something to do with the fact that I was sort of bragging in my last email that it wasn't cold yet. But I don't believe in superstitions. 

Well, today my heart is full. I am so overwhelmed and happy for the miracles that took place this weekend. Namely, Grandma getting baptized and Grandpa becoming and Elder. I'm so excited to be able to talk with everyone in person about the many miracles that have taken place in the last year in order for this day to be possible. All weekend I kept saying, "Only a few more hours until she's baptized!" "She's probably getting confirmed right now!!" Ahhhh! Life is so good, isn't it? The gospel is true!! Thank you so much for all the pictures! 

This week was exceptional. We had exchanges with none other than Sister Olds! Three weeks ago, I was "dethroned" as Sister Training Leader after 7 months, and my best mission friend became my new STL....meaning we get to do exchanges. Sister Olds came with me on Thursday and we met with our golden investigator. We read Alma 32 together and talked about the seed growing into a strong-rooted tree. She made a lot of great comparisons, and at the end I asked her to be baptized. Her eyes got really big, and she asked a lot of questions excitedly, and then finally she said, "Okay, sure! Cool! Thanks!" Best reaction I've ever gotten. She attended institute with us, where we talked about none other than Alma 32. There are no coincidences. Only little tender mercies. She looked at me at the start of the lesson with amusement and I said, "Just inspiration from God, that's all." :) 

On Thursday, Sister Ruldolphi (my companion) was on exchanges and went to the local English Club at the Library. We have several potential investigators who are interested in the church there. One is from India, and requested an English Book of Mormon. She saw him waiting outside the library with a friend, and she gave him the Book of Mormon. He went back inside to grab his things, and the sisters stayed with his friend to talk to her. Apparently while he went inside, he said, "Look what the sisters gave me!" and held up the book. Someone in the room from America said, "The only thing that book is good for is burning!" Oh my. He responded back, "I don't believe that. I'm going to read it." 

We met with him yesterday, and he said, "I read from your book. It really touched me, and I felt something special. I've read so many things from other religions, and I have never felt this about anything I've read yet. It really speaks to me. I believe this is from God." We continued talking to him, and he wants to meet with us again. As we were leaving, he saw a painting of Christ being baptized by John the Baptist. He asked us what it was, and we explained baptism to him. I said, "Would you like to be baptized?" He said, "Well, obviously. I don't know why I wouldn't!" 

Spiritually sensitive people really exist. I'm super excited about it. 

This week was great, and full of tender mercies. I felt the love my Father in Heaven has for me, for our family, and for those we are teaching. It is a real power, and it is divine. 

I love you all, and can't wait to hear back from you! :) 

Love Sister Kate Webber

Is it January or June?!

From the warm tundra to the frozen tundra,

So after hearing accounts that the temperatures in the US of A were hitting -50 F, I was pretty amazed.
I'll have you know that we had Sports Day on Saturday, and I was really bummed that I had worn pants. That's how hot it was. I think it must've hit 50 F here. It was so warm! It was incredible. I won't talk too much about it, because I don't want it to come back to bite me from all of you who can't open your doors because of how cold it is. 

This week was really good. We had a meeting with two of our investigators every single day except Christmas. They are so prepared and ready to accept the gospel. At the end of every lesson they say, "Do you want to meet with us again tomorrow?" My answer, "Does the sun set in the west?" (I just watched that this week, Lacey, and thought of your mom.)

We have been spending more time on the street than I have in probably 6 transfers. It's really amazing how far I've come since the last time I was contacting that much. It's probably one of my least favorite things to do, but when your 3rd back up plan falls through, you gotta do what you gotta do. The more I'm outside, the more I realize how important it still is to spend time "out and about". I think they're past contacting and tracting in America, but here, we sometimes still have to do that. Unfortunately, we don't have people lined up outside waiting to be taught the good word. But all in due time. Ukraine will be there one day, it's still pretty new. 

I so wish I could attach pictures. We had a pretty eventful week, in terms of pictures. I also took a picture of me wearing my brand new USC shirt that I got in the mail...and I wanted to send it in honor of Gramma and Grandpa this week. I hope you have a wonderful week attending Gramma's baptism! Like I always say, TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES! :) 

Also, for everyone else, send me pictures. :) Those are always super fun for me to see. I'm sorry that I'm such a hypocrite. But these computers are from the 90's. It's just a struggle. 

Sorry that this is so short, I'm really pressed on time today. But know that I love you. Know that I'm super grateful for all those who take the time to write me. It means the world, and I'll never be able to express adequately how much I appreciate it. :) 

All my love, 

Sister Webber

ps. thanks for the slamming videos. Those made my day. :) You're well on your way to being a Ukrainian missionary. Get ready to slam with me when I get home, alright?

also, did anyone get a video of mom slamming? I'm waiting on that one. ;) 

pps. HAPPY ONE YEAR MADI! I can't believe it.

The Elect, and Christmas part 2

  

Getting back to my city was exciting, but also brought on a lot of anxiety. Where are my investigators? What did they do while I was gone? Are they still interested?! Luckily my comp did a great job at keeping in touch with them for nearly 3 weeks when I was gone, but I was still nervous.
The first day back, two of my investigators, Julia and Sveta came to institute and loved it. I got a call from Julia the next day and she said, "What time is our Mormon lesson today?" Ha! So we met, and we talked about the Plan of Salvation. We went over it simply, and then they had a hundred questions about everything. We even got into the council in heaven, the veil, the resurrection, translated beings. It was crazy what kinds of questions they had! Normally, I would never go into that much detail, but the whole time the Spirit was there. At the end, they said, "Missionaries have been drawing that diagram on the board for us for 5 years, and it's never made any sense to us. This is the first time it has actually clicked."
Phew. 

So we met again last night, and it was awesome. We talked more in depth about the purpose of life, and how we can find happiness, and they were both so thoughtful and accepting. We had so many long pauses during the lesson where the Spirit was so strong! There were tears coming from everyone in the room. It was incredible, and really sacred. They both are working toward baptism, and we all have that as our goal. We fasted for them yesterday that they would accept Joseph Smith as a prophet, regardless of the (polygamy) issues they have. That's their only hangup that we have found so far. I think it'll be totally fine though as their testimony is strengthened.

It is such a privilege to teach people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I think it's one of my very favorite things, to be the means of helping someone feel the Spirit of the Lord, and to bring things back to their remembrance. To see someone recognize truth in that very moment is one of the most holy parts of my mission. Ah! I love it so much!! 

We have something of eternal worth to offer to the world. Go out and share it already.

Keep on keeping on. 

All my love, 
Sister Kate Webber

ps. Merry Ukrainian Christmas Eve! :) 3 Rizdvom Hristom!