A Baptist, a Muslim, and a Seventh Day

This week was a week that I liked. Good times. We had probably more lessons than we've had in quite a few lessons, including some pretty good ones.

We had a lesson with a 24 year old member to help him consider going on a mission. It turns out he just thought that he was too old. He said that in his patriarchal blessing it says that if he wants to achieve anything in life he needs to prepare to serve a mission. I assured him he's not necessarily too old. He committed to pray and talk to the bishop about it. It looks to me like we could really get him to go. That's awesome! I'm pretty excited about that.

I was on exchanges on Tuesday and Wednesday with one of the assistants, Elder Johnson. We met with a cool African in my area named Victor. He's from Nigeria, 6th year medical student, here with his wife and small baby. He's such a believer. Every bit of doctrine he talked about was dead-on. We really respects us for coming here and a he gratefully accepted a Book of Mormon after we explained it to him. Looking forward to meeting with him again.

We also met with Anya, Sergei and Larissa's daughter at our bishop's home. It was a really cool meeting. She came with a lot of questions and we were able to answer them all. I think she was pretty satisfied with the answers in the end and we definitely left her with some things to think about. She's reading the Book of Mormon now and she told me a couple days ago that most of it's in the Bible. I explained why, of course, that's the case, because it came from the same source. Good stuff.

We met with that Iranian guy who came to the Christmas concert 2 weeks ago. His Dad lives in Canada, so I helped him with filling out a form to get a tourist visa because his English isn't that great, and we also talked about the gospel. We gave him selections of the Book of Mormon in Farsi (Persian) and had a pretty good talk. He came to Church yesterday. The language was a bit of an issue because he doesn't know much Russian yet, but it was cool. A member translated for him into English during Sacrament because my companion and I were speaking. We received that assignment the night before. Haha. We also taught Gospel Principles. Things are going just fine here.

Elder Peterson is a great companion and we're having fun together. The work is moving on.

I know that this is the Lord work. I know that it's all true. The Book of Mormon is a real record of prophets who lived on the American continent. God lives and He restored His Church on the earth in these last days. Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet. It's true and it's awesome. Thanks for everything.

Love,

Elder Mahoney

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Christmas #2

Last week was kicked off with a sweet ward activity on Monday. It started with a talent show that was pretty well put together. I played piano and sang a French hymn, Souviens-Toi that I had translated into Russian. It was cool. I didn't have anytime to practice, so the piano dropped out on a couple lines, but I kept singing. The youth did a hilarious skit of the Cinderella story. I was laughing almost the whole time. After the talent show, there was some food and a dance started up. It was cool, there were really a lot of people dancing. Our bishop is a very good dance and has taught dance before. At the end he taught the waltz, so I practiced with my companion, then we did a little jive. It was really fun. I want to get more into dance when I get home. It was a really fun, unifying activity. We had an investigator there too.

On Wednesday we did service at the hospital again. We got to see one of the operation rooms and transfer a patient right after surgery. It's a pretty nice place. I'd trust them. The only funny thing is that they use iodine here, so everybody is always stained orange in the hospital. Haha. The anaesthesiologist is really cool, his name's Pavel. We invited him to the Stake Christmas concert on Saturday and he stopped by with his wife, but said he couldn't stay. That was great progress though. He said they'll come again. He's a big man, probably 6'3", 300 lbs. He doesn't have a probably moving patients around. Haha. We look forward to working more with us. Whenever we walk in the halls with him he's always telling people about how good guys we are. Haha.

We met an Iranian guy in the post office the other day. He was having some trouble communicating and spoke English, so I translated for him. He also came to the Christmas Concert and said he's interested in learning more about our religion. We're looking forward to talking to him again.

A member asked me where I was from on Saturday and told me she thought I was from Russia or something. That's the first time I've had a member think I was a native I think. I still have a lot to learn, but the Russian's coming along a bit at a time. The more I learn it, the more I feel like it may be one of the most ridiculous languages out there.

We had the chance to go caroling 3 separate times this week. It's really fun to sing and see the people stop as the walk by. I love singing and I love our hymns.

I don't have much time left, but the work moves on here. I'm happy to be a missionary here in Ukraine and I love this gospel. The Church is true.

Thanks for all the support.

Love,

Elder Mahoney

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Happy New Year

Another week gone. I'm not really sure what to say as is often the case. On Saturday evening we had to be home at 16:00, then on Sunday we just went to Church which was just one hour and spent the rest of the day in the apartment due to the New Year. Last Sunday I found out that there would be an 8 year old girl being baptized this past week. She's so cute and funny. She took my hand and sat me down and told me there's something I need to know. 1st, when you goto somebody's baptism, you bring them candy; 2nd, you bring candy for others; and 3rd, you don't forget the first 2 points. It was pretty funny for an 8 year old to say that and that she'd come up with it all on her own. Both of her parents are return missionaries, but her dad hasn't been active recently. With the new Church Handbook from 2010 a Priesthood holder who is not fully temple worthy can still baptize his child at the discretion of the bishop. I heard that he didn't want to baptize her, so I talked with our bishop and it was discussed in ward council and I was really hoping that he'd come around. Even on the night of the baptism it seemed like it wasn't decided, but I was so happy to hear that he decided to do it. I'm sure it would have been a regret if he hadn't done it. It was powerful for me to see a father baptize his daughter and see her little body start to float up a little before her lifted her back up. She is so innocent, trusting, and vulnerable. I know that the Lord smiled down on that event. I could feel it. The Church is true.

On Saturday, Elder Peterson and I watched the movie 17 Miracles. What a cool, powerful movie! I started tearing up in the first 5 or 10 minutes and was wiping tears the rest of the movie. I'm so grateful for those early pioneers. The did so much to contribute to what's gotten me here. I'm grateful for missionaries, that they found my Mom and taught her this message and that I am one now. I know that Jesus Christ restored His Church on the earth in these latter-days. This is it. Happy New Year everybody. I love you. Be strong.

- Elder J. Mahoney

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The Spirit of Christmas

Merry Christmas everybody and Happy New Year since I won't be writing again until 2012. I guess I'll just flip through my planner from this week and try to see if what would be interesting to share.

On Monday with had FHE with the Ryabov family. They are so awesome. They have 6 children and they been members for about 14 years. They have a cool house outside the city and I feel love so much in their home. They truly follow our Savior Jesus Christ and inspire me to be better. They even brought us some cake yesterday to Church, just for us 2 missionaries. They're 10 year old son shared the lesson about the First Vision and did a great job. I can see how much he looks up to us as missionaries when I shake his hand and look in his eyes. I can feel how much it means to him that I remember his name. He'll be a great missionary.

We were able to meet with multiple awesome members this week which was amazing. We met with the one family who has a son who's a return missionary living in the states now. I didn't know anything about their kids before. We also met with the Lysenko family who I love too. They have 4 children They also have a really cool house with a pool in the basement outside the city. Bro. Lysenko has a business and flies commercial airplanes in his "spare time" as he would put it. They have an awesome family and are yet another example to me. It's funny to have the problem sometimes that our members are too busy to help us since they're doing things like Family Home Evening, home teaching, bishopric meetings, and going to the temple... Haha. I haven't had those problems much before.

We also met with another really cool family with 5 children and had a little Christmas evening. The father is not a member but comes to Church all the time and does FHE etc. He just can't stop drinking I guess. I don't entirely understand why he won't just get baptized. It's so sad to me to see how awesome his wife is and know how much she's going through. It'll be an amazing day when they can all be sealed in the temple. I pray it won't be too long from now. One of the saddest things I see on my mission is part-member families. He says he'll get baptized in March, but I think he's said that before. I love in their home how the communicate with such love and softness to one another.

We had a great lesson with a man who actually contacted us the other day. I was walking with a box to ship a package and he asked, "What's in the box?" I replied, "Nothing yet." Then the next question, "What's with the book?" We like that question. We taught him about the restored gospel on Saturday. I think he may know the Bible better that anybody I've ever met before. In the end he really had some questions to ponder and a sincere desire to know more. As with sat there in the below-zero temperatures in front of the packed local McDonald's across from him I could see a future leader in the Church. He has great potential.

Sunday was Christmas, though it didn't really feel much like it outside. It was an awesome day. Elder Peterson talked with his family in the morning before Church at our bishop's place. I love our bishop and his family so much. I played with the 2 year old a little and talked to them while he was on Skype. Then Church was just really cool. I don't know exactly why, but I could just feel so much love and joy from the members. It's a real pleasure for me to go an shake each member's hand. Our ward is so cool. For a special musical number 4 or 5 families when up and sang a Christmas song. It was so powerful. I was a little overwhelmed with the Spirit as I looked at all the women up there, then the men, then the children and felt their love and dedication. The future of the Church here is in good hands.

We watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional after Sacrament Meeting, then I was able to Skype with my family. It was really cool to see them all. I love them and I am grateful for their good examples to me. It was neat to come home from Church and see them all ready to go to Church back home. The Church is the same everywhere and it's true. We visited another member family and watched Finding Faith in Christ, then we went back to bishops and had a really cool dinner there with duck and stuffing and other yummy things. I love them and I can feel that we'll be friends forever.

The work here is not just paint-by-numbers, it's a challenge, but I know it's worth it. Sergei, who was recently baptized, blessed the Sacrament for the first time yesterday. What a powerful experience to see the gospel of Jesus Christ change a man and then begin to mold him into a leader. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is perfect and He loves us. He want to help us get to where He's at. I know this is His Church. 2011 has been awesome. Let's make 2012 even better. Thanks for the love and prayers.

Be strong,

Elder Jonathan Mahoney

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Merry Christmas!

It's been quite an eventful week. Last Monday feels like it was a
couple months ago. Elder Cross packed up to head out and my new
companion, Elder Scott Peterson was here with me on Monday evening.
He's going into his 4 transfer, so he's been in Ukraine for about 4
months. He's a great, smart guy from Alpine, Utah. We've had a pretty
great first week together and I'd say I have more in common with him
that with any of my previous companions. We're both looking forward to
spending a good chunk of time together.

On Tuesday night the 15 missionaries going home last week had a
testimony meeting at President Klebingat's home. We were asked to go
pick up one of the missionaries because he had to fly out on a
different day than the others. We came in just as the meeting was
finishing and it was such a weird atmosphere. It really doesn't feel
like a bunch of them should be going home already. It's crazy how soon
I'll be in one of those seats.

I don't think I've ever mentioned that we've been doing service in a
hospital. I think it was the 3rd time last week. Every Wednesday we do
it. I was in the trauma triage for the first 2 times. We just kinda
stand there and see everything happen, then take people to x-ray or
something like that. I held one guy still while the doctor reset his
broken hand once. This past time we went to the trauma unit we're
people are staying waiting for or healing from surgery. It's always
pretty interesting. The staff are mostly awesome. The doctors I've
been able to work with are so cool and funny. I really love hospitals.
We took a couple people from up there in their beds to x-ray. We got
to wear these cool surgical gowns too. It feels really good to help
people.

We had a mission conference on Thursday where Elder Randall K Bennett
came and spoke to us. It was pretty cool. I was interpreting the whole
time, about 6 hours, into Russian for another missionary. It was cool
to see all the missionaries together. There were a lot I've actually
never seen before because we don't meet as often with other
missionaries since our new mission president came.

Things are going pretty well here. I love our ward so much. The
members here are incredible. Tonight we're going to an awesome
family's home for FHE. They have 6 kids and one of their school
teachers is supposed to be there. We have a couple people that are
looking like they could be promising investigators, but nothing super
to report at the moment. Sergei and Larissa both bore testimony in
Sacrament Meeting yesterday. I was interpreting for a senior couple
and I could feel the Spirit so strongly. I almost cried. They are
awesome. This is the Lord's work. It doesn't feel like it over here,
but it's Christmastime and I'm so grateful for the birth of our dear
Saviour. I'm trying to be like Him. Thanks everybody to the prayers
and support. I love. Merry Christmas!

- Elder Mahoney

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Still Alive

Sergei and Larissa were baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday.
Sergei received the Aaronic Priesthood on Sunday too. It was awesome.
I'm so happy to be here and have the privilege to experience all this.
Elder Cross is leaving on Wednesday and I will now be with Elder
Peterson. I'm excited to get to know him and continue serving here. I
don't have much time right now. I love you all and I'm grateful for
the support. God bless.

- Elder Mahoney

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My Apartment is a Hotel

Another week gone by. The days seem to be disappearing. We live next
to a metro stop where you take the bus to the temple and mission
office, so missionaries often stay the night at our apartment. There
were people sleeping over 4 night this last week. So much commotion
makes time seem to go faster.

One staying at our place last night was Vova Yarmak. He's from
Chernigov, my first area, and he was just set apart yesterday as a
missionary. He's flew out this morning for the Arizona Tempe Mission.
I'm so excited for him. It was cool to be with him for his last few
hours in Ukraine. He's going to be a great missionary.

Sergei and Larissa are doing especially great. They had interviews
with out bishop, with Elder Jones, and talked with Pres. Klebingat
yesterday and everything is set for the baptism next Saturday at
17:00. They are so ready and they already looking to the temple. I was
talking to their daughter the other day who is a devote baptist and
she even stopped drinking coffee to support them. It's been a great
boost for me in my mission, to finally see somebody change their life.
Larissa said that the Book of Mormon is her coffee. She used to drink
coffee in the morning, but now she and Sergei wake up early and study
the scriptures together! Wow. They're awesome.

We also have another progressing investigator named Dima. He's 26 and
has been to Church 3 times now. He's a little hard to read, but we had
a lesson with him and our bishop and afterward Bishop said he thinks
he'll be baptized in a few months. That would definitely be great.
We're trying to get members more involved with him, but we don't have
that many member around that age for some reason.

We met with an inactive couple yesterday and had a great lesson. I can
see the desire in their eyes, they remember how their life was better
before and know what they should be doing. I look forward to working a
lot more with them and seeing them come back. They're sweet and have a
little girl. Some people just let "life" get in the way of actually
living.

Things continue to move along here. I happy to be serving here and to
be with Elder Cross for his last transfer. He's a great example to me.
Things continue to go well. Missions are amazing. I love the Lord and
His gospel.

Thanks to everybody for everything.

Love,
Elder Mahoney

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