Short, but sweet update

Times goes too fast. We went down to Kiev last Wednesday, on the train all day, and picked up our new companions on Thursday. I'm happy the trainers meeting wasn't quite as long as before because it's a little boring the 3rd time. All other trainers had also trained 2 or 3 times before except one. My new companion is Elder Stuart Pace. His parents are mission president in Barcelona Spain, so he just turned 18! His sister is on a mission in Norway too. He way cool and is already doing very well at Russian. I'm impressed as are all the members. I'm excited to get into this last transfer and do work with him.

We got home on Friday night after another all day train, about 11 hours. I learned to make vareniki on Saturday. They're perogies in English. That was way fun.

I wish I knew more of what to say. I know the Church is true. My testimony keeps getting stronger. I feel the Spirit as we teach and testify. I love my mission.

- Elder Mahoney

7680 stairs.

I suppose there actually have been some pretty interesting things this past week. On Tuesday President Klebingat was down with his wife for a Relief Society meeting. On Wednesday morning he invited all the missionaries here to run. (He's a marathon runner, by the way.) I'll copy what he wrote us in his weekly letter:

"The real you - your spirit or mind – is designed to have dominion over your physical body which ideally means that what the real you says and desires is what your body should help you accomplish. "Your mind is in charge; your body is the instrument of your mind" (Boyd K. Packer, 2009 October General Conference). Just as a car can still go many kilometers even after the light has come on and the fuel gauge shows empty, so you can push your spirit and your body far beyond what you think was possible. An active – not theoretical - faith in Christ combined with a healthy dose of willpower can work miracles in your life whereas "in the absence of willpower the most complete collection of virtues and talents is wholly worthless" (Aleister Crowley). 

"An impressive display of this and the fact that "great souls have wills; feeble ones have only wishes" (Chinese proverb) was observed while I was in Odessa last week with Sister Klebingat. As per tradition, I met the missionaries for an early morning run at the top of the ominous Odessa Harbor stairs, the goal being to beat the new mission record of 15 rounds, set by Elder Shurtleff. Accompanied by Elders Schultz, Michels, Christensen, Perkins, Thatcher, Detro, Mikhailovsky, Dutton, Mahoney, and Stroud I took off believing that with time and pain natural selection would take its course and decimate the group (Sister O'Neil – WAY TO GO – joined us a little later for much of the experience!). To make a long, wonderful experience short, I was proven wrong as we all stayed together finishing 20 rounds (5.6 km/3.6 mi, covering 540 m/1,771 ft of altitude, and a total of 7,680 stairs – 3,840 up and 3,840 down)."

Pretty cool experience. President and his wife also came to our District Meeting which was fun. It's always cool to spend time with them. I got another surprise call from President on Friday. He asked me to train again for my last transfer. I was really expecting that, but at the same time I've kinda gotten used to unexpected things happening. It'll be great to serve with another new missionary. Hopefully I can help him learn something, but I'm sure that his fire will help me finish this last transfer strong. My companion, Elder Schultz is moving to another city and I'll be finishing here in Odessa.

Things are going well. I love serving here. The truly is Christ's Church. I'm learning everyday.

Thanks for all the love and support,

Elder Mahoney

Monday Miracle

Another week has blown by! I hardly know what to say. I think I'll just share one pretty cool story. Last Monday we got a call during p-day. The man, Igor, said he met us about a month and a half ago and he wants to meet. I suggested meeting the next day to which he replied, "can't you do it today?" I said, "I suppose so." In a few hours we met with him. He's 36 and used to be a seaman. Three years ago he found a Bible in Russian at port in Australia. He started reading and believed. He didn't really have any idea what's different between this Church and others, so we got to explaining it. He asked, "How does baptism work here?" I explained how it works and what must come first, namely faith and repentance, then asked, "It sounds like something you're interested in?" He said, "Yes." I then simply posed the question, "Do you want to be baptized?" He again replied, "Yes." So, we had a great spiritual first lesson with him and it was a pretty sweet miracle. We haven't been able to get a hold of him since then and he didn't come to Church yesterday, but we have faith we'll be seeing some more of him. Not too many people have called us on my mission. I know that the Lord's hand is in this work. I can't think of anything else to tell about from this week, though we've been pretty busy all the time.

This is Christ's restored Church. I love it. It's a privilege to serve here.

- Elder J. Mahoney

P.S. Awesome new Mormon Message that everybody should watch, especially people preparing for missions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoWRbNwClMs

August 6th, 2012

Happy August! I can't believe July is gone already. This past week was topped of with a baptism. I was privileged Vitaliy from Moldova on Saturday. He clearly put a lot of thought into everything. He was ready for it. He even came about an hour early for the baptism. I love to hear the sound of the font filling up in a chapel. This is what it's all about. That's our main role here as missionaries, to help people come unto Christ and take the step of baptism. He also asked that I confirm him on Sunday and that was another blessing for me. I could really feel the Spirit as I layed my hands upon his head. I felt a witness that all was right that it was all being done by the proper order which God has laid out. God truly is a God of order.

The branches here need more strong leaders. I have seen issues in every branch and ward I've served in here. It troubles me a lot to see things not working the way they can and should be. We're taking a lot of steps to see that the programs of the Church are being carried out properly and that people are not being forgotten. Many members seem to think they know it all, but they really need help. It's a bit of an awkward position to be in sometimes, as a missionary trying to "fix" things, but it's a privilege to be here and learn. My mission has been filled with great learning opportunities.

Our days consist of a lot of sweating and a lot of people who have "no time" to talk, but we learn everyday and we always have something to work on. The whole mission is trying to get at least one baptism per companionship in the month of August. We have one. It's getting a little late to have another date set for this month, but we're trying. I love our mission president and how he is constantly pushing us, or maybe I should say pulling us because he truly leads.

I love the Savior. I love this work. I feel God's protection and His power. We are not alone here. There are angels round about us.

Thanks for all the love and support,
Elder Jonathan Mahoney

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