Time Flies When You're Having Fun

It's been a pretty decent week. We only got one new investigator, but we had to member present lessons with her already. We have a few investigators who are actually reading the Book of Mormon which sometimes seems to be the exception rather than the rule. One guy actually read the entire Gospel Principles book. We currently have 20 investigators and too many contacts to keep track of, so we really want to work on moving from working with something of them this week and focusing on people who are ready to progress. When I arrived in Chernigov we had 4 investigators from one family who we were working with, 8 weeks ago. Things have been going pretty well in the area. It's really hard to get people to come to Church for some reason though. The other Elders had one woman at Church with her son yesterday though.

You may remember the guy I met in Kiev on Miracle Day. I think it was like December 20th. Well, I was in Kiev last week for Zone Meeting and while I was at the chapel a guy called me and asked how to get to our temple. I had no idea who he was or how he knew that's where I was, but I found out and told him. He said, "Okay, I'm coming." I replied, "Okay... who is this?" He answered like I should have known him, but I had no clue. Later I saw a man talking to one of the assistants who looked strangely familiar. I realized it was the same guy I met weeks ago on the Metro. They've been teaching him and a few days ago he stayed up until 3 AM reading the Book of Mormon. He's on vacation in Chernigov region now so I may get to meet with him up here. He's looking forward to going to Church when he gets back to Kiev! Awesome miracle!

I also saw another miracle when I was in Kiev last week. A family w/ 2 daughters (I think) went to the temple. They said they had come by many times to see what it was, but it was always closed. Finally, that day the mother decided she had to find out what that building is. They went to the temple and when they went in they told them, "If you want to come in here, you have to go over there first (pointing to the chapel). Talk to the missionaries." I thought that was a hilarious way to say it, but awesome. They came over and the assistants taught them right away. She said, "I can't get baptized tomorrow, but if I do that I can go over there?" I'm so excited to hear what happens with them. I love to witness miracles. How great is our God.

The funniest thing that happened this week was a man who walked up to me and started questioning me about what the Jews believe and where they worshiped. As I tried to explain to him that I don't know because I'm not Jewish he just keep asking and then became very confused when he learned that I'm not Ukrainian. When I told him we were in a hurry, but we'd love to talking to him more about what we believe he just left.

The language is starting to come along. I'm a lot more comfortable on the phone and talking to people all the time. I am starting to see in me the missionary I want to become. I have so far to go, but it's a marvelous process.

I don't think I mentioned. Last week I spoke French for the first time in Ukraine! I met a man from Congo. I believe there are 3 black men in Chernigov and I know them all. It was funny because as we spoke like 6 people just stopped and stared. One told Elder Drasso he'd never heard anybody speak French before in his life. He's a really cool guy. He said he's going to do everything he can this week to come to Church with his 10 year old daughter. It's funny because his name is Pierre and he sells precious stones. Stone is "pierre" in French. =P I picked up a couple French Books of Mormon in Kiev last week. Now I've gotta meet a Brazilian. I doubt it's going to happen in this city though. I've heard of one Brazilian businessman in Odessa and some professional Brazilian soccer players in Kiev. I think I'll baptize one of the soccer players.

I'm pretty sure I've also forgotten to mention one of our newest missionaries. His name is Elder Saenz. He is from Peru. He studied and graduated in Russia, so now he's a doctor. He only speaks Spanish and Russian. He couldn't get a visa to go to the Provo MTC, so he went to the MTC in Peru and then served a transfer there before coming here. On his first day in the country he had a lesson and set a baptismal date. I talked to him for a while and I so hope I get to serve with him at some point. He's awesome and clearly here to work. =D Did I ever mention I love this mission?

Oh yeah, I found something that made me about 6 times happier! Snickers Ice Cream bars! I don't know if they have 'em anywhere else, but it's the best thing I've had in a long time. Too bad there just over a dollar. That's a lot of money here.

I thought of a cool quote this week. "If you are not happy now, you will never be happy." Basically because we are always alive now. I don't know if it makes sense. Think about it.

Thanks for all the support everybody. I don't know who all reads these things, but a lot of you have a piece of my heart. I look forward to reuniting with many of you and I love you guys. Thanks for everything.

Keep your heads up,

Elder Mahoney

P.S. Miracles have been happening in my home branch too! My brother is baptizing a new young convert this week and my Dad is confirming him! Yeehaw! I think there have been more convert baptisms in Truro since I left on my mission like from when I graduated high school 'til then. Crazy stuff. =D

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