Our Mission in Ukraine

With just a little less than 4 months left in our mission I have been reflecting upon our experience here and desired to share some thoughts as well as pictures of our special time here.

In the words of President Monson: None of us will honor our Heavenly Father and our Savior more than by serving as a devoted compassionate missionary.  1 Samuel 2:30 "For them that honor me I will honor".

Missionary service is a labor of love but also of sacrifice and devotion to duty.

As I think about my service here in Ukraine I ask myself, Today, have I increased in faith, in hope, in charity, in love?  I can honestly answer in the positive to each of those four characteristics. I never imagined the great love I would feel for the people here in Ukraine. They indeed are my brothers and sisters. I cry with them and for them when their trials are heavy, I laugh with them when they are happy and full of energy and youthful playfulness, I love them as if they were my children.  I hope that each of our youth will realize their dream of a temple marriage with a worthy companion and raise a righteous family and strengthen the church here with families. I used every ounce of faith I had to accept this assignment and leave my own family and travel and live on the other side of the world to answer a call from our prophet. I have been rewarded greatly with love and my family has survived without me, and  my faith has been strengthened because of it.   Was it a sacrifice? Yes, but where much is given, much is required. I can not complain about my sacrifice when my life is so full with the treasure of the gospel of Jesus Christ.