It goes on.

I don't have a lot of time, but I gotta at least let you know I'm still alive.

I just spent most of p-day helping the couple I just went to the temple with get a lot of their family history put into the computer so they can perform saving ordinances for their ancestors. Yesterday I taught them the 7th and final temple prep lesson which a review after the first time they went. It went very well. They are so happy and you can tell that something is different. It's awesome to be a part of all this.

We had a priesthood leadership meeting in Kiev on Saturday to which the Branch President didn't come. He's working way too much these days. It's not good for his calling or his family. I'll be talking to him about that tomorrow.

I don't know much what to say. We're working away. We're trying to get deceased and lost people off our branch list and focus on the people that can be helped. There's a new member missionary program being introduced around the mission so I look forward to seeing how that goes.

I love being a missionary. I might not be able to see too many people change around me, but I can feel and see myself changing and that's amazing. I love this gospel.

Thanks for all the love an support,

Elder J. Mahoney

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Amazing.

It seemed like a calm week, but it was crowned by an amazing event. Last year in May I was privileged to baptize Valentina Levchenko and my companion, Elder Drasso, baptized he husband, Victor. It's be a year since then already and here I am, serving back in Chernigov. I had the unique opportunity to go with them to the Kiev Temple this past week and be with them as they were endowed and seal for time and all eternity. It was truly incredible. I can't really describe all the feelings of the day, but I am humble grateful for this blessing in my life and in theirs. They were just glowing with joy and tears rolled down cheeks throughout the day. I love them. We were having dinner together afterwards and Victor stood to say a few words. At the end he started to tear up, then said, "I ask you to pray for us, that we may endure to the end, and we'll be praying for you." What powerful words. I have great confidence that they will continue in their eternal progression and be a great strength in the kingdom.

We then stayed in Kiev for a zone conference the next day. It was awesome, as always. I learn so much from our Mission President. He's a great example to me.

I know that God lives. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I'm learning more and more what these things mean and I invite all to do the same. I love my mission. If you're at all considering serving a mission, do it! It truly will change your life.

Thanks for the love and prayers,

Elder J. Mahoney

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Keep On Goin'

It's toasty warm here and the work goes on. My companion and I are having lots of fun. I love him and I love this city. The branch is so great here.

It was a pretty quiet week, so again I'm not too sure what to share with you, but here's a story:

We met with the atheist we taught last week again. In testimony meeting a member who had helped us on a lesson with him share the story of the lesson a little bit. Then, during Sunday School at the end the teacher said she felt like sharing something. While he was testifying and relating that story she was thinking about her conversion. She was an atheist too and she was asking herself and trying to remember what it was that made her believe. She said is was the example of the missionaries, the way they lived their lives, the light in their eyes. She recalled that she didn't really listen too much to the words they said because she thought she was much smarter than them. I know that she was prompted to share that story. It gave me a lot of hope in our investigator and gave me a vision of his conversion. He clearly likes us and he respectfully listens as we teach him eternal truths. I pray that the Spirit will touch his heart.

I love serving here and I know that God lives and loves us. I feel it. He hears our prayers and answers them. He gives us commandments for our good. When we keep them He immediately blesses us. When we don't we have no promise. He do not succor His people in the day of their transgression. Let us keep those commandments and reap the blessing. It's all true. I love you.

- Elder Mahoney

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Sweaty Days and Yelling Atheists

Another week has disappeared and I really don't know what to say. Two neat things happened this weekend.

We found a new investigator for the first time in a while. He is 46 and an atheist. He the smartest atheist I've ever met. He has sound, logical answers to the questions I ask him. He is searching though. He might not admit it, but there's some reason his favorite subject is religion. At one point during a lesson with him he was yelling, "If God loves me, why doesn't He just appear to me and talk to me face to face!?" He says he wants to feel Gods love, but... he really doesn't want to pray. He listens respectfully when we teach him. It comes down to a lot of testifying though and pray that he will feel something. I feel God's love for him.

The next cool thing was helping out at a members summer home again. We got to get out and get some sun and move out limbs a little more that the regular walking, book-holding, and handshaking. Haha. We helped plant potatoes. I was there at the same place last year. It's been getting really warm here and starting to get pretty sweaty in out missionary getup. I love it though. My companion is a great guy and we're truckin' on. It seems that we are inching forward.

I love the gospel and I love my Savior. I'm learning every day and I feel so blessed to be here. I know our message is true. Christ's Church has been restored!

Love,

Elder Mahoney

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I am yet alive.

Hello world!

It was a really quiet week, but the sun has come out and the flowers are popping up. It's really nice to see some green around here. I guess "I write unto you again that ye may know that I am yet alive" (Moroni 9:1). I'm happy to be here and the work is inching forward. I've been blessed to talk to a few neat people recently and I love my area and my companion.

I know the my Redeemer lives. Life is about preparing to return to God and live in an eternal family. We do this by repenting which is made possible by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He was more than just a good man. He is the Son of God and has received all the glory of the Father. I know this is His Church and I'm so blessed to have this knowledge.

A member here puts some pictures up from this area, so you might want to check it out:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/307801729248191/

Thank you for all the love and support. Let your light shine,

Elder Mahoney

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Иисус воскрес!

I forgot to mention last week that I needed to go to Bulgaria again to renew my visa. So, on Monday I was in Kiev, then I was in Sofia, Bulgaria from Tuesday-Thursday. It was a fun trip. We walked around a lot and even got to see a play there. I remember last time I was there I didn't really want to leave, but this time I was fine with coming back. It's nice to be "home" back here in Chernigov.

Nothing else really exciting happened this week.

Easter was celebrated here this weekend. I'm not sure if I wrote about it last year, but on Easter here it's tradition to say "Иисус воскрес!" which means "Jesus was resurrected!" and the other person responds "Во истину вокрес!" which means, "Truly he did!" Pretty neat thing. I love the area here and my companion. We just found out transfer info and I will be staying with him for another 6 weeks here! Yay! I remember at the beginning of my mission I was always hoping for some change, but now I'm good with things staying the same. I like it here.

I know the Christ truly was resurrected after 3 days in the tomb. He appeared to the people in Jerusalem and to the Nephites on the American continent. I know that he lives today. I'm excited to see him again. I love Him and feel His love for me. Glory to God.

Thanks for the love and support,

Elder Mahoney

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A Mighty Change

I don't really know what to write this week. The highlight for me was General Conference this last week. It was such a privilege to hear the word of God delivered to us through living prophets and apostles. I know that that's really what happened. It was a spiritual feast and I feel way nourished. I feel, at least to some extent, how the people did in Mosiah 5:2 after hearing King Benjamin's address, "Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." I know the words are true and I really just want to do good. I want to live a righteous life. I feel like a mission is like a fast from the world, in a way. I'm grateful that we don't watch movies, or TV, or listen to worldly music. I feel like I'm slowly being purified. I just want to raise a righteous family and serve as the Lord directs. Almost all other desires are fading away. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives. It's not always easy to keep going here, but I know that God sent me here to teach repentance. Repentance is change for good and that's simply what we need to do if we want to be happy. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. He's my Brother and He's watching out for me. I'm learning everyday and I am full of gratitude. Thanks to all who have touched my life. Let us all repent each day and move a little close to the goal. I love you.

- Elder Jonathan Mahoney

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