Week 28: Weak Things Made Strong

Happy Monday!

This week was quite interesting. It all started when we decided this week that our investigator, Olga, had ignored our calls too many times and we needed to stop by unannounced. We of course had to have a reason to get in. Brownies- the only thing everyone loves in this world and are quite rare in this country. You could call us the suppliers of happiness with the Gospel and brownies, all anyone needs in this life. Anyway, we left the brownies a little underdone and kept most of it for ourselves. We went by Olga's apartment and she let us in! We caught up forever and read the Book of Mormon together (during which she suggested that Lehi had to smoke something in order to have a vision- no, I wasn't offended at all) and we gave her homework of 2 Nephi 2. And then she told us on our way out that she can't believe in the Creation. Funny how that works out. She "coincidentally" cancelled our next meeting- I hope it's not because we gave her a whole chapter solely about the Creation to read.

This week Sister Moore and I had awful stomach aches. We couldn't figure out what it was. Some senior couples tried to tell us it was the raw egg in the brownies- I've never had a problem with it in my life. The brownies were actually so good that when sisters stayed with us twice this week, we hid them every time so we didn't have to share. Maybe not relevant, but it was a highlight of my week. We did eventually find the source of the ache as I tried to relieve the pain by eating a piece of rye bread and saw a flash of blue- WE HAVE BEEN EATING MOLD ALL WEEK as the bread was our go-to to relieve hunger and aches. It's okay we're fine. We feel better now! I actually drank sour milk today and my stomach is now invincible due to the conditioning I've put it through all week!

On Saturday we met with Nastya, a Baptist, for the first time. She's not an investigator yet, but she will be. She has lots of questions and they aren't your typical ones either- think more deep doctrine with not yet revealed answers. She will definitely keep us on our toes- especially because she speaks English and reads different translations of the Bible. Oddly enough, she helped me realize that I haven't been taking advantage of reading the Bible. It's an amazing source of truth. We are so lucky to have it along with the Book of Mormon in order to have the fullness of God's word.

I have been thinking about Ether 12:27 ("And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.") a lot this week with the many trials we had to face- but I can testify to you all that our Heavenly Father has a purpose for each trial we go through- even if it may not seem like it in the middle of the storm. They always end up strengthening us in the end- maybe for a similar, yet harder trial. Or maybe it takes me wanting to cry a whole lesson for the whole purpose of giving me a desire to read and better understand the Bible which could help me later. The point is, only Heavenly Father knows the purpose of each of our trials and we have to trust in Him, but I do know that each trial will strengthen us. I love this Gospel, I love this work, and I love each and every one of you. I hope you all have amazing weeks!

Sister Vehar

The second sunflower I've seen in this country. #citygirl

This country's sky looks photoshopped- never ceases to amaze me

Week 27: No water because: Ukraine

Happy Monday!

How is everyone? I hope the answer is good.

This week was really good. We didn't have too many appointments this week, but we got to do TONS of contacting this week and we handed out more Book of Mormons this week than I have my whole mission. None of them came to church, but yesterday we were walking on the temple grounds before church started because Sister Moore felt like we had to find someone. I was a little skeptical, seeing no one there, but we went because you can't argue with the Spirit. At about 330* around the circumference of the temple grounds we saw a grandma and granddaughter on a bench ready for church. They were the only ones on the grounds so we went to talk to them and they said they were visiting. We get a lot of visitors because the Kyiv temple is the only temple in all of Eastern Europe. I asked if they were members and they said "not yet". Sooo now we have 4 potential investigators because the rest of their family showed up and promised they'd come next week.

We also had dinner appointments this week and one family thought we had never had corn on the cob before, even though the meal was corn and watermelon- the most 4th of Julyesque foods I can think of. I assured them we had eaten it before and two seconds later Sister Moore ate almost all the way through the "cob" center so they think we lied to them. We had a really good laugh about it.

We had no water for three days for the sole reason that it was a holiday and the water people had a day off. Somehow that adds up to three days. We got spurts of water long enough to take a shower before it turned off again. It was very stressful.

Sorry I'm out of time, but I love this work. Heavenly Father loves and knows each and every one of you personally. Remember He is there for you. I love you!

Sister Vehar

 The heavens opening on the temple

The one sunflower I've seen in this city of Ukraine

Week 26: SIX MONTHS-WHAT?!

Happy Monday everyone!

Yeah that's right! I've been out serving the Lord for six months already! Can't believe it? Well neither can I! But it's the truth!

We didn't have a heavy work week because of training meetings, interviews, and zone conference but I can tell you Sister Moore are on a spiritual high and we are pumped to get some new people to teach and get the work going again in our area. We've been struggling to find more people to teach and our weeks have been less booked than ever and I still feel like I have been the busiest I have ever been my whole mission. It's crazy how it works out like that!

We had a goal to make people in this country smile more this week and we made 33 Ukrainians smile since Tuesday, and we even got a creepy "I love you" out of it too (in Russian and then translated into English)! We're going to brighten this country up one smile at a time.

Speaking of smiles, I was full of them this week with all the crazy rain storms! We got caught in a crazy one but all was well with umbrellas and rain boots. And then Ukraine decided it hated me again and over night it was a sauna outside again, so I'm back to melting away. My trainee is from Las Vegas so she understands my problem with the humidity here. I'm just praying fall comes soon. A man I was talking to on the marshrutka the other day said there wasn't this much humidity 10 years ago. Too bad I was 9 then... oh well. I feel Heavenly Father's love for me just that much more when we get a cool rain storm.

In closing, I am just really grateful to serve a mission, here in Ukraine, in Borschagovsky, with Sister Moore, and at this time. I'm grateful for a lot of other things, but these have definitely been at the top of my list this week. I love you all and I wish you the best, wherever you may be. Have an amazing week!

Sister Vehar

I love rain and the temple

It poured. Yes, I promise I'm in Ukraine

 A little green I see everyday

My cute Sister Moore as Baba Svetlana, jazzing up some role plays

Week 25: I was alone with a man: NOT CLICKBAIT

Happy Monday everyone!!

This week was quite the wild one, regardless of every single one of our lessons falling through.

I don't think I'll ever understand Ukrainians. Here are a few instances why:

- A phone call with an inactive member of our church: Hello! We'd like to invite you to church tomorrow!- I can't- well can we meet you sometime this week so we still see you?- Sure I'm usually free in the evenings- Okay, which day?- Girls, don't worry about me! I'm fine, everything is in order. Have a good day!---- So yeah, we'll just stop by in the evening I guess.

- An impromptu visit with an inactive member of our church: Lets us in the complex after we essentially ring the apartment doorbell. Then we knock on their door- we hear them eating dinner- they don't answer. Moral of the story, don't let people in if you won't let them in. actually we got to leave them a note so that was good.

- Ukrainians don't try to understand bad Russian. I feel like we Americans are very understanding and we try to make sense of broken English or a mispronounced word. Not here though. Even if you have slightly incorrect intonation in your question, they will not understand the simplest of phrases such as “How are you?”. I've related it to someone coming up to me and saying I am a girl, or I am a girl? I just have to be patient and say something I learned in my first few days in the MTC seven times until I get it "right".

Okay so the title. I was not actually alone with a guy- my trainee was. It is the crown jewel of our transfer. Thanks to our third companion, I am blessed to have a video explaining the conversation. But, maybe you won't watch it- your loss- so I'll briefly describe. Sister Moore ran for the open elevator and hit our button per habit, but the doors automatically shut (being open a long time), separating us from our companion- which has happened before, but this time was different. Having hit the button already, the elevator kidnapped my trainee and took her home, screaming all the way up, growing more and more faint. She is obedient, however, so she tried to come back down to us to return within sight and sound, until someone else decided to use the elevator and called it to the eighth floor. This is where the title comes in- Sister Moore was alone with a man in the elevator for eight floors. Maybe not so funny for those of you at home, but to us missionaries this is the funniest thing in the world- a close second to when I dropped the keys out the window.

There are a few things that I am just so grateful for and I want to share. I am grateful for RAIN! Old news, but this week has actually had some really nice weather- we even pulled out the rain boots! Even when we had to walk in pouring rain and we were soaking wet, walking ankle-deep in puddles, we were laughing as hard as ever. I am also so very thankful for the opportunity I had to serve with Sister Smith-Driggs. Our trio has gone down to two today which makes us sad but we are also so happy that she is no longer a fugitive from the law- okay not really a fugitive, but go with it. I have learned so much from her and I wish her the best of luck in Estonia!

Everybody- missions are AMAZING! I'm out of time, but just think about that. I love you all!

Sister Vehar​

Wearing our Vyshyvanka at the temple with Sister Smith-Driggs

Week 24: Eventful and Uneventful? The Unending Paradox

Hello everyone! I hope you all had good weeks because mine was great!
Alright everyone we're doing bullet points again!

- We bought vyshyvankas last week! I'd include a picture, but they're all too embarrassing. Anyway, the lady we bought it from is interested in the Gospel! So we will visit her again with the Book of Mormon.

-We got a new investigator this week-her name is Olya! Sister Sutton and I just couldn't seem to meet with her, but it finally worked out! I'll have to tell more about her next week.

-We got Shawarma twice this week because Sister Smith-Driggs loves it and it's not in Estonia.

- Our blind and deaf babushka we go to every week still doesn't know we're a trio so that's fun! She also enjoys making animal noises out of nowhere so that caught a few of us off guard.

I'm sorry this week wasn't more eventful and I haven't had much time to email these past couple of weeks! Have amazing weeks!

Sister Vehar

Week 23: A Long Hard Week of Training

Hello everyone! Time is short and so will be this email.

-We are in a trio for the time being with Sister Smith-Driggs from my MTC district! She is having visa problems in Estonia and we are hoping they will be fixed by next week.

-I have introduced my trainee to shwarma this week! It is divine! We were also fed berry vareniki!!

-People must have a hobby of cancelling on missionaries because we had like absolutely no lessons. Lots of contacting!!! I'm definitely working on my weaknesses which are basically all related to contacting. I actually contacted a lady we contacted last transfer- Tanya the hip babushka!

Sorry it was a really boring week and I have like 2 minutes to write this. BTW CONGRATS TO MY COUSIN SIERRA FOR GETTING ENGAGED THIS WEEK!!! I love you!!

I love you all and I hope you have a great week!

Sister Vehar

 Shwarma-SO GOOD!

 Berry Varaniki

Sisters Smith-Driggs, Vehar and Moore

Week 22: Week One of Training!

Hello everyone!

I am very short on time so I'll try to fit everything in.

I officially said goodbye to Sister Sutton Monday night- Shout out to my favorite trainer in the world! Love ya!

I inherited my trainee, Sister Moore, on Wednesday after a crazy two days of transfers and trios and Shashlik (very tasty *skewered* campfire meat-)! Sister Moore is from Las Vegas and is super cute! I already love her to death and we are going to laugh the heck out of this next two transfers or so. I am guaranteed to stay in Borschagovsky for two transfers and finish Sister Moore's training. HECK YEAH!

Some fun things we did this week were:

- We had three potential investigators at church! Talk about herding cats!

- We bought matching rain boots!

- We taught our first lesson together with 5 minutes notice

- IT HAS BEEN CHILLY AND RAINY ALL WEEK AND I AM SO HAPPY. IT'S JULY FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!

It is so fun training and I can't wait to to tell y'all more about it next week!

poka poka,
Sister Vehar

*Mom here. I was able to message via Google Hangouts with Sister Vehar Monday morning. She is doing so good. She says trying to speak with people there is really awkward since Sister Sutton went home. Sister Vehar says the other sisters that stayed at her apartment while waiting for their new companions were really impressed with her Russian language and that was a big confidence boost for her, even though she knew her Russian wasn't that good...she says they'll see in three weeks (these other sisters are only 6 weeks younger than her in their missions).

Some fun pictures were posted on the mission facebook page this week. I'll add those to Sister Vehar's pictures. 

This week, the Ukraine, Kyiv mission officially became the Ukraine, Kyiv-Moldova mission. It was a big transition as they sent home their 11 missionaries, reassigned 5 elders to the Ukraine, Dnepropetrovsk mission, and inherited both the Ukraine, L'viv mission and the Moldova (used to be Romania/Moldova) mission. The Kyiv mission just went from about 60 missionaries to over 100. Big, exciting changes! And Sister Vehar couldn't be happier with all that is happening there in Ukraine.

 My cute lil' child

 Sis Moore sleepin

 SWEATER WEATHER IN JULY

 Our booties!

 Sister Slocombe and Sister Vehar at the campfire cookout

Cooking Shashlik

The Kyiv missionaries get to attend the Kyiv temple one last time before returning home. Their companions get to attend too, such a fun treat for Sister Vehar. So wonderful to have a temple in her mission! She is able to attend quaterly, and any other special occasions, like this one.

Sister Vehar and Sister Moore at a baptism