Last Weeks Post (Just a little late :)

Sister Willerth here, reporting on what has probably been the best week of my life. Also I never got to finish talking about last week, but I'll try to cram everything in with the time I've got.

The two big things about last week were 1 - we got to do this really awesome service project and this lady's Dacha, where we pretty much just helped her clean out her garden and then picked enough cherries to make even Deana sick. It's a great time of year for cherries, they are everywhere and SO CHEAP. Anyway, it was a really fun experience to just be at this little cottage in the middle of nowhere (the town's population is 25 people) and sit and relax and see the animals.

While I'm on the subject of animals- everyone is scared of them here! Granted they are a little sketchy and dirty, but so are the buses! My motto is, if you always have some hand sanitizer on you, then you've got nothing to worry about.Plus there are so many kittens right now! They are so cute, I just want to steal them and take them home. But unfortunately, pets are нелзя so I just have to play with the ones I see and gross out my companions. жалка.

Speaking of companions, it was Sister Reece's birthday last week, and so we all went out to eat at New York Street Pizza. Yup, authentic American grub. really though, it was pretty dang good pizza. I haven't been away from home TOO long, but it's still nice to taste some greesy cheeze. Also, it's great having a companion with a birthday because you do everything with them, so it's basically your birthday too. It's kind of weird spending literally EVERY second with someone, but I love my companions so it hasn't been a problem.

We have a few black brothers in our branch, and one that we're teaching, and let me tell you - they are probably the most spiritual people in the world. One of them has the most amazing story - he left Nigeria when he was 17 to escape gang connections, and hasn't seen his family in almost 10 years. He's lived in India, Singapore, Egypt, China - you name it. And he met missionaries his first week in Ukraine. What are the chances of living in so many places, having so many experiences, and finding the church here? I just can't believe some of the things put in my path sometimes.

Like I said though, these guys are so cool. One came on a lesson with us and was preaching all about how people who read the book of Mormon and say it's not genuine aren't Christian. He just kept saying "How can you say a book about Christ isn't GENUINE! This is GENUINE!" Woooaaaah there take a breath man haha. (although we really do love the support when we can get it. A testimony means so much more coming from a peer rather than a missionary). Sister Reece and I haven't been able to stop saying "genuine" ever since.

I've been learning to cook all kinds of new cool stuff, not the least of which was some AMAZING борш! We met with a lady in the branch who taught us and it was sooo good. I couldn't stop thinking of Mr. Walsh... Does he make борш? I would love to try his, or teach him how it's done when I get back.

Oh, and the Chameleon face is still doing me good. The other day some lady stopped us on the street and was convinced we had talked before. (We hadn't, I DEFINITELY would have remembered her.) She was so funny though, a self-proclaimed "псих" which from what I understand is a lunatic. A fitting word. I hope we get to meet with her. She loved my name though. People here are so funny, they just blink and fall backward a little when they read my tag. They all say "Oh, American names are so different and beautiful..." My name and the fact that I'm from Chicago are like the only two "cool cards" I have to play.

Also have I mentioned that I'm the relief society pianist? Yup. I'll admit, using "I'll never be a missionary" as an excuse to not practice has come back to bite me. But it's a really good opportunity.

Speaking of opportunities, I had probably my favorite experience so far this week. We live above a bakery and we walk by smell it EVERY day. The other day we were on our way back in for dinner after a meeting, and we just decided to walk in and ask if we could help, and they let us right in and taught us how to make all these awesome bagels and rolls and crescents. it was SO fun. We were all working on different things, so it was just me alone with some lady trying to understand what she's telling me to do and her questions about my life at home and her telling me about her family. Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a movie.

Speaking of Movies, probably most of you are not familiar with the district videos they have us watch, but for those of you RMS out there, I've got a funny story. First, I have to tell you about Tamara. She is the sweetest, most wonderful thing ever. We invited her to be baptized, and she enthusiastically accepted, but when we tried to put her on date she hesitated. She was saying that she still had lots of friends that were orthodox, catholic, etc... After talking with her, we realized she thought that as a Mormon, she couldn't have any other friends. We assured her that we could (and did personally) have many friends of other faiths. She could not believe it. She threw up her arms and cried "слава боже!!" haha I felt so bad for the misunderstanding, but I couldn't help but think of German, and how he "broke it." I hope at least someone out there appreciates this story. But for everyone else it's still exciting, because she will be our first personal baptism. Woo! I love her and am so excited. She also didn't want to come to church because she didn't have any nice clothes, so we told her we'd give her some. I was being so dumb, because I was so hesitant to give some things away. Then Matt 10:8 came into my head and I decided to just put myself aside, and give. I have never seen anyone so grateful for anything as she was when we gave her our clothes. I really need to just remember that none of our material things are as precious as the lives we can touch by giving them away. I'm so grateful I am able to learn that lesson here and now, while I'm still young. I hope I can remember all these things when I come home too.

Okay for a funny story: we've had lots of encounters with drunk men lately. One tried to follow us home the other day, which would have been a tiny bit scary except for the fact that as soon as we started to run a little, he tried to too and fell over. haha. Plus Sister Helsten is so hard core. One tried grabbing my hard while we were on the bus the other day and she all out karate chopped his hand away. Don't touch my greenies!! haha she's so hardcore. I'm glad I've had at least some experience with people like this because it doesn't bother me so much, but Sister Reece is a little less used to it. The funniest part is that yesterday some guy grabbed her hear and tried to kiss her and sister Helston just jumped in front of her and slapped his head away. So that's what we're doing here: Kickin butt, and takin' referrals.

Well this has been a pretty hefty update, so I'm sorry that I can't write more individually. But I'm thinking of and praying for you all and know that I love you!! I'm so grateful to be here and every day be having these life-changing experiences. Thank you all so much for the support and love as always!

Love,

сестра виллерф

Sister Villerf here...

Hello everyone! Sister Villerf here, pleased to report on an extremely busy week!!

 

On Monday I tried my first sketchy Ukrainian food - Shaurmas! (Okay, it's actually Arabian or something, but they have them here and they're great!) People always say to be careful, that they'll make you sick, but I ate it and loved it and felt fine. One of the less known blessings of missionary work is a strong stomach. :)

 

On Tuesday we had a zone conference, and then went on another greenie split! Except this time, it was 3 greenies - all 2 weeks old. We had a blast showing her around Makevka and trying to talk to people again. On days like that I'm glad I can't understand everything. There was one man who we saw who wanted to talk a lot, and he was from some sort of church in Bellaruse. (I apologize for spelling probably everything wrong. But I can say it, and I can understand it, and that just has to be enough for me right now haha) Anyway, his son was a pastor there and he was talking to us probably about all the stuff wrong with our church,. He got kind of frustrated that we couldn't understand him, but I was never hurt or offended because I didn't know what he was saying. Boom, silver lining. It was really sweet too, because I decided to finally wrap things up and say "Well if you're happy and don't have any questions or concerns, then we are happy for you." He said, "I am 55 years old, and I am happy. I don't need this. But good job! Get out there and tell people, because there are lots of other people who do need it here." That much I did understand and was grateful for. People aren't mean. Even if they don't accept our message, or don't agree with us, as long as we don't invite contention by being offended or trying to change peoples mind by fighting them, then they will admire us for what we are doing, and be grateful for the people we are.

 

Something cool - We had a lesson with a member on our Greenie split who speaks great English, and guess how he learned? After the fall of the soviet Union, he just went to every movie that played, as often as he could. They played the original sound, and someone sat in front of the theater and translated. In time, he became fluent in English! I swear, the people here are so cool. 

 

Well, there's a million things to say and no time to say it, but I'm so grateful for my support system out there! I hope life is good. As for me, I'm having the most incredible experiences here every day and loving every minute of it. But honestly, you can't not love it. As long as you're trying your hardest, the spirit won't let you.

 

Thanks for everything you're doing on your side of the world! Keep up the good work! I love you all!

Love

Sister Willerth

Greenie Splits

Well, it's been another eventful week here in Ukraine. Don't really know where to start or what to talk about though. There are so many things that happen every day here that would NEVER happen in America, or that if this was last week, would shock me. Some things still do shock me, but I'm adjusting well and learning to love everything about this place.

So I believe I told you about my wonderful trainer, Sister Helsten. She is the sister training leader for our area, so she has meetings/splits/all kinds of responsibilities to do at least every week. Do you know what that means? Greenie splits!! Sister Reece and I hit the town all by our lonesome and talk to people and contact and just do our thing while trying not to get lost or kidnapped. I kind of want to film it so that one day when I have everything figured out, I can watch us and just laugh at how dumb we probably look. The language barrier is a blessing sometimes though - it doesn't really hurt your feelings when you can't understand that the person is saying "I HAVE MY OWN PROBLEMS LEAVE ME ALONE!" or "I DON'T WANT YOUR MESSAGE!" haha. Needless to say, we learn to laugh off just about everything. Sister Reece is such a great example of just getting out of your comfort zone and talking to people, and she's so sweet and funny that pretty much everything rolls off our backs. Anyway, 6 days in, the youngest, freshest greenist to ever take on the town alone and we got 3 contacts! God is definitely with us.

Oh, and we have bed bugs. There's really nothing we can do about it, and I'm handling it well. That's all I have to say about that.

Really there are crazy (and sketchy) things that happen here all the time. We had a lesson with a lady who is really sick with her problems and she just called up her friend right in the middle of it to get her some pain medication. So we we just chattin it up about the Book of Mormon while he taped a bottle of morphine to a mop, wiped the sweat off his face, and stuck a dirty needle in her arm. well, he tried. It didn't really work, so they started yelling at each other and he left while she let the IV full of blood drip all over the floor. Sometimes I feel like I'm living in Rent. It's actually pretty awesome haha.

Oh and remember how I said the people here love pictures? We were running late to a lesson but our taxi driver wanted to see my pictures SO badly that he offered to give us a free ride to our lesson. (He drives us often, so we actually know him - haha it's not a creepy thing.) We didn't accept of course, but hopefully I'll get the chance to show him again soon. We don't understand each other very well, so when we try to talk we just compare the words he knows in English to the ones we know in Russian and laugh a lot at each other's accents. Also he gave us chocolate. These people, I'm telling you - SO amazingly selfless.

Amazing experience of the week:

I met myself, 10-20 years down the road, without the gospel. His name is Alex, and he's my kindred spirit. I honestly think that he might be the entire reason I'm here, and I can't even communicate with him yet!! Though I understand him better than the other sisters by some miracle. He is so ready to hear the word in so many ways, but then not in others. He's a huge seeker of truth, but his quest for God is a quest for knowledge. He is unsatisfied because he thinks he can know God by knowing more about who God is - he doesn't realize that it is through what he did and what he says that we find peace. And I know exactly how he feels, and what he's thinking, but I just don't know how to help him. I hope he will listen to us. He's my prayer request for this week. 

I'm also grateful to be working with really amazing members here. They are the best. So kind and a huge help with missionary work. I love them all.

Only other thing I can think of is that someone told me this week that I look Russian. HA! Take that! To all the people who doubted, let it be known: The chamelion face comes through yet again!

Other than that it's just the normal stuff. Hitting my head on the way out of Marchutkas, tripping and wiping out on the street, trying to fight off the bug infestation in our apartment, being yelled at by people I don't understand, trying to learn Russian, having amazing spiritual experiences every day, seeing miracles, learning more than I ever thought there was to know, and loving every minute of it. :)

I love you all! Hope God's blessing everyone (well, I know he is, so I hope you're all seeing it!) Thank you for the mail and the love and for everything!

Be bold! Be brave! Be great!

Love,

Sister Willerth

 For anyone wondering, my adress is just the mission home address, and I think we get to check mail there about once a month. Hope that answers some questions

First Week in Ukraine!

So Sister Willerth seems to be doing just fine....

Who're you calling a greenie??

WHAT A WEEK!! Honestly, I don't have enough time on the internet to say everything that's happened. I'm serving in Makevka which is just outside Donetsk and it's SO BEAUTIFUL. Also those prayers for my trainer payed off! Sister Helson, my lovely trainer, is a PRO and she's so fun and sweet. Also I'm in another threesome (Troika power!! Also you'd think that in a Ukrainian internet cafe I'd be able to figure out how to change the carachters... haha)  with the amazing Sister Reece! We were in the MTC together and had so much in common and I was really hoping I'd get to be her companion eventually. Happened sooner than I thought! So if things weren't great enough already, we also had a baptism our first weekend. We got to teach her one lesson on friday before baptizing her on saturday. Even though we haven't known her very long, she is so sweet to us. It's true, once you make your way into peoples hearts here, they treat you like family.

 

Language report: The gift of toungues is real!! Of course, I understand close to nothing but it's nice to have Sister Reece here who is equally new suffering through everything with me. Also, something I've noticed about these people is that they're not too hard to understand because if they want you to understand them, they will make sure you do (if you know what I mean) and if not, they will just ramble on and on and all they need is an ear. Sweet little бабушкы :) (NAILED IT!) Really though, there is something so genuine about these people. On Saturday we put on an activity for children's day and afterward, some lady who we had talked to for a while (Sister Reece and I smiled and nodded while she talked about her daughter who went to a Christian University and her little boy German, and who knows what else...) came outside and brought us all chocolates and roses and thanked us for putting it together. It wasn't the first time I'd recieved a flower either (when we got there, there were roses for all the sisters. The roses here are the prettiest in the world! Mom, I'd even say they're better than Jewel's ;) ), or the last time I'd gotten chocolate (a man named виктор gave Sister Reece and I some at the ATM after we invited him to stand under a ledge with us, out of the rain. See what I mean?! So sweet.) Okay I'm becoming the parentheses queen. I'll try and stop with the side stories.

 

Our apartment is SO AWESOME!! I'll try to send pictures, but If I can't imagine a million different mismatched wallpapers, doors held closed by magnets, and rugs EVERYWHERE (including the walls). You have to be kind of low maintanance to live there, but if you don't mind scaring away abuot a million tiny cockroaches every time you need to grab a fork, you're set ;) Really though, I love it - so beautiful, and somehow even though I don't live in the comfort I'm used to, I don't feel like I'm missing anything.

 

Our branch is so great! We have so many strong families and they are all so nice to the sisters. I don't reall know how to talk to them, but it really doesn't matter as long as you have a few family photos on hand. By the way, can someone send me more of those? It really doesn't matter what they're of, or how old they are, but man people will KILL you for your pictures here! It's actually hilarious how much they love them.

 

A few stories for your entertainement:

 

I met a man, валентинь, who is a psychic. He looked at me and said, "You're a singer! And I can tell everything about you from looking at you. You will come over later and I will make you a salad that will keep you awake for 4 days and then I will tell you all about your boyfriend." Wish I had more time to talk about him, he is such an interesting man haha.

 

Also, I'm never using an elevator again. We got into one, (rookie mistake, that thing already looked so sketchy) and as soon as the doors closed everything shut down. There was no intercom, no panic button, nothing. We couldn't call any sort of 911, so we just called валентинь and he pried us out. hahaha - what a guy.

 

 

What Else? Tried compo this week. Not sure how it's spelled or anthing, but I think it's just fruits boiled in water to make a juice/tea beverage. My favorite so far is cherry mint. Mmmmmm :) We've already been to a member's Dacha (honestly it takes less time to explain why I'm using english letters than to change the keyboard haha) where they had basically every fruit vegetable and flower imaginable. It was SO COOL. We looked at their old family photos and ate fresh sweet cherries until I thought I'd throw up. Really this has all been even more of an adventure than I could have imagined.

 

Oh now for the boring stuff you probably want to know. Jet lag really wasn't too bad. I took one nap the next day and have been fine ever since. I'm exhausted all the time but I think that's more because of all the hard work. And allergies. Oh, the allergies. There is literally cotton floating in the air here. It's just a thing, don't worry about it.

 

Don't think I have any more time but know that I am so happy here!!! I am loving the work, loving the people, loving the language, loveing the food, eating well, sleeping well, and everything could not be better. So grateful to be here on this incedible adventure!! I love the Lord, and God answers prayers! I'm praying for you and I love you and think of you often! Keep the faith!

 

Love always,

сестра виллерф

On To Ukraine

So, Sister Willerth flew through DC where her older sister lives and they got together before she got on the plane to Munich, then on to Ukraine.  It was so exciting to talk to her and I know she was more than ready to get on with it!  She will be awesome.

Sister Willerth and Deana (another Sister Willerth)

Getting on the Plane

The following is a short email we got when Sister Willerth reached Ukraine..........

 Just a quick note to let you know I made it, alive, awake, and happy!

Everything is green and the air it humid and I could not be more happy :) (Also, the land looks eerily like Illinois....)

Anyhow I hope everything is well! I'm so grateful I got to talk to you all and I miss you, but I'm SO EXCITED TO BE HERE!!

Also, just so you know my first P day is monday so you should hear from me then. I love you!! Take care!!

Love Sister Willerth

Last week at the MTC

Being my last week in the MTC, I would like to preface this email by saying:

"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Freakin out. We got our travel plans/ Russian tags this week (pictures attatched) and it's all starting to get so real!! But I could not be more excited! I love the MTC, and I've had an awesome time here, but I feel like I need to get out there if I'm going to learn anymore now. As for where I'm at on the Russian.... Let's just say, I'm not really planning on understanding anyone for the first year or so. It's cool. I'm sure I'll get by :)

I would like to say THANK YOU to all of those who sent me so much love this week, through letters and packages. Mom as always :) (you're the best) and the Moodies! Grandma Moody and Sister Moody, those were a great surprise, thank you! ;) And I'm especially grateful to have all these new treats right before I'm leaving because it'll help me prioritize when packing (PACKING, YES!!) Here's a sad fact about me - if I'm looking at a box of girl scout cookies, and a skirt/dress that won't fit if I bring them, which do you think I'll choose? Samoas all the way. It's probably a problem, but at the same time I need to cut down my stuff anyway and this seems to be a method that works for me haha. Sugar addicts all the way.

Seriously though, I am just dying to get to Ukraine. It's so scary knowing I probably won't understand these people, but I can't help but love them. Sister Riley has been sending updates from many missionaries in Donetsk, and the work is just exploding over there! Not just because of the amazing missionaries they've got already serving there, and the wonderful President Campero (who I've heard unfortunately will be going home just a few months into out mission. I already know I'll be sad to see him go, but I'm excited to see a new chapter open in the mission, and what can be done with the groundwork he's laying down.) but the work is moving forward so rapidly because of the AMAZING people. I wasn't expecting to talk about this yet lest I discredit myself because I havent met them, and wouldn't techincally know them, but I feel like I just know - they are the most special people in the world. Similar to Russians, they have this shell that makes them seem cold or mean or sad, but they aren't. They're just real! Which means when you get through to them and help them see why something is important, they know it! And can't just fall away. When they say they are going to do something, they do it! Because they will just flat out tell you when they don't want to. And when they say they love you, they really, really, love you. And you should be honored because it really means a lot.

I feel so blessed to be called to this mission. People always say the Russian speaking missions are the hardest because it's a hard language AND a hard people. Maybe that's true, I guess I'll find out. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Hearing about Elder Moody's work lately (Connor is doing well by the way for those of you that have asked about him :) ) I know that there are places in the world that people are SO sweet and nice that they can't say no, but they never really commit. Unfortunately this is a big frustration for him right now. Missions are hard anywhere in the world, but they definitely come with their different frustrations. We've decided we get both sides of the spectrum.

Woah, after all this heavy stuff I feel like I don't even want to talk about what happened this week! Which reminds me, I'm just terrible at remembering and accurately portraying all the crazy things that happen here. For what is probably a more accurate account of all the things that have  happened to me here in the MTC, you should go to Sister Shrek's blog. Though almost everything that happens to her happens to me (she IS my companion) her stories are infinitely more entertaining than mine. I'm pretty sure the link is sistershrekindonetsk.blogspot.com. This week's entry should include the story of how all our attempts to set up our teachers finally payed off. So much drama that's been going on here that you didn't even know about. Well, I promise, you are in for a treat. Sister Shrek is so great.

Also, I spoke in Sacrament meeting this Sunday. That was fun (a word that I'm beginning to find a completely new definition for). It was SOOO scary and I couldn't really breathe at all for those few minutes, but I got through it and by some miracle hardly anyone could tell that I was nervous. Something surprising that I've gotten a lot here is that so many people think that I'm really confident. hahaha..... well, alright. I can run with that. I guess it's a good trait to have as I pretend to not be shy for the next 16 months. But really, I was so grateful that I had one last opportunity to bear my testimony to my zone. I might not see these people ever again, and I couldn't leave without telling them what I believed.

Other than that just little things - I've been going to choir and rediscovering my love for singing, even though I've pretty much lost my voice. I've (supposedly) been speaking Russian in my sleep every night so that's supposed to be a good sign. We gave our first 40 minute lesson, which was AWESOME. I love teaching and it's starting to get a little easier. Also, we've made up this really great game where we stand in the bathroom and try to trick the sisters into singing certain hymns. Sometimes you have to all out sing, but with really good ones like Come Thou Fount, all you have to do is hum a line and all the sisters start singing it. Other favorites are How Great Thou Art, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and the Start Spangled Banner for some reason... hahaha the sisters are so funny.

Hopefully my next email won't talk so much about me. I'm kind of sick of talking about myself haha. I do have one question though. Mary Edmunds (funniest lady alive) spoke to us the other day and she said to think about someone close to us and whether they would say we were an optimist or a pessimist. I know what your answer would be a few years ago. (Mom and siblings, we've talked plenty about this haha.) Just curious as to what your answers would be now. I'm trying to be better every day.

Okay well I love you all and I appreciate the prayers!! Please, keep em coming, and you will be hearing all about Ukraine very soon!!

Love Always,

Sister Willerth

MTC: Week 7

Sister Shreck always says that the MTC is a taste of heaven because time just doesn't make sense here. So true - it becomes a freakish time warp and though so much probably happens, I always sit down on P-day and feel like I have nothing to say.

I feel like I've learned a lot and nothing at the same time. We have begun to do 100% SYL (we will for the last 2 weeks here) and it's crazy! I definitely don't know all the words I usually use in a day, and I pretty much can only speak when absolutely necessary, but it has really helped me to grow and learn how to maneuver to say the things I need to say. That will be a huge blessing when I get there (if I can understand what I need to say in the first place - eesh!)

 

Ooh, something cool. Guess who spoke to us at relief society this Mother's Day? None other than Janice Kapp Perry! For those of you who don't know (because I didn't) She wrote like a BAZILLION songs that we use in the church, including my very favorite, a child's prayer :) But also army of Helaman, I'm trying to be like Jesus, As sisters in Zion, all that... AND, in honor of the new Sister missionary movement, she wrote new words to As Sisters in Zion just for the new wave of Sister Missionaries, and we got to sing it for its very first time this Sunday. I am so grateful, and still can't really believe I am a part of this movement. This is history in the making! And we are all blessed to see it.

Also, let me just say that technology is totally changing missionary work. At least training, if not in the field. This last Saturday we got to Skype with real Russian people, in Russia! It was SOOO scary, but an awesome experience and opportunity. They were all church members and so sweet (The kind that would stay up until midnight to talk to the missionaries in America) and I really learned a lot from this - not necessarily language wise, but I know that all of the things I learn here will make me a better teacher, and that's the most important because it affects EVERYTHING.

One thing I've been worried about lately, is that though I know there will be some way to speak or say what is absolutely needful, I still don't understand Russian very well. At all. I know it will come, but I'm worried that if I can't understand people i won't be able to form the relationship I will need to in order to understand their needs and be effective. It's hard for me too, because I'm more of a listener than a talker usually anyway because I love just listening to people. I love to hear what other people think and feel about everything, and then I read between the lines to really know them. The way they say things, the things that they linger on and are passionate about. I wouldn't say that I'm a people person, because I'm still shy and would never go out of my way to talk to everyone - but the people I do get to know, I really care about. How can I do this, if I can't understand them? These were my concerns. But after and interview with one of my teachers, I realized that I've been prepared for this - by being the chameleon face, by being #7 who got lost at the space needle, by being in the background and by being a listener. I know that if I have faith, and work like I've never worked before that the spirit will help me understand what I need to. Not because I understand their words necessarily (the gift of tongues is real, but for Russian it takes longer to kick in, and doesn't exactly have biblical effects haha) but because HOPEFULLY I will be able to understand their heart. And while I'm at it, I might as well extend an invitation to everyone to try and do the same. If you feel like there's been some sort of conflict or misunderstanding with someone close to you, next time you talk to them, try to not listen so much to their words and find their needs. I don't get to use this theory for another 2 weeks still so I want to know how it goes!

Okay and one last thing - I have a prayer request for my trainer. Because there are so many sisters going out and not that many there, some sisters will become trainers almost immediately after finishing only 6 weeks of training. They probably will not feel ready (because I know I wouldn't). PLEASE PRAY for them. That they'll learn what they need to know and more, and be prepared to take us on and teach us what we need to know. This is very important, I've heard the
trainer creates the setting of an entire mission. PLEASE pray for mine.

Well I think that's all - sorry I don't have too many interesting things to say quite yet, but I know that'll all change in a couple weeks. Thank you everyone for the prayers - I need them here, and I am definitely able to feel them. I love you all!

Sister Willerth

 

PS.  I almost forgot! The district just older than us left yesterday. It was really hard to say goodbye - I've made some amazing friends here! But the world needs these missionaries - they will be the best Russia has ever seen!