Take a walk in another pair of shoes for a day or two

This is what our entry way looks like every Tuesday afternoon as we join with our district and have lunch together and then be spiritually fed, uplifted, challenged by each other.  Of course some of those shoes belong to Elder Bailey and myself, but there are eight pair there that belong to some wonderful young people that love the Lord and are here fulfilling their calling as a missionary for our Lord.  It is September, the summer flew by full of activities, lessons, acheivments, challenges, and special events. We have reached our one year date. There is always much to accomplish, it is a never ending work, a work that can never be relaxed or put on hold. This work is too critical here and everywhere.  To be apart of such an important work is a humbling experience. We hope that in these last months of our mission we can see miracles, accomplish goals, and be an instrument in our Lord's hands to strengthen the youth and the church here in a special part of the world. It has been our privilege and blessing to be here and to come to know these good people and to love them.

We have had many interesting stories here in Ukraine as the missionaries find a few very special people from other countries going to school here. This man is from Iraq, left his homeland particulary because of the governments intolerance of Christians. He was not one at the time, but felt a stirring in him. He has been in Ukraine for about four years and two young missionaries found him one day and he said he didn't really know why he came to Ukraine, but after they taught him he felt like this was the reason. He was baptized about three weeks ago. A more humble and nice man you will never meet.

I can't believe it's been a whole month since I added to my blog. What's happened this last month. We had a great zone conference. President and Sister Lawrence from the East Europe Area Presidency visited our mission and taught us the importance of serving here in the Eastern Europe area and finding the House of Israel here, particularly members of the "lost" ten tribes. As President Lawrence interviewed each missionary personally Sister Lawrence a 20 year early morning seminary teacher gathered around the elders and the sisters and answered questions and taught and inspired a group of young missionaries as she shared her great knowlege of the scriptures. It was an awesome sight and an awesome setting.