Touring the Mission with Pres. & Sis. Gibbons

It has been a joy to tour the mission with the Gibbons. We started in Kharkov where we held 2 Zone Conferences and one fireside. Our zone conferences were about member participation (Chapter 13 in Preach My Gospel). Then we headed to Donetsk and had 3 more Zone Conferences and 2 more firesides. I will review some of my notes and key points that helped me. Our missionaries need not fear because they were ordained by the authority of the Priesthood and belong here in this mission. They are the only ones that have the right to represent Christ and preach His Gospel! Teaching with power and authority going 2 by 2 - declaring my word like unto angels of God. We are all the descendant's of Abraham - everyone of us who are members of the Church and our duties are to share the Gospel. We have been prepared and taught before this life and after this life we will continue to preach the Gospel which is the Eternal nature of missionary work. We are here to help members teach the Gospel. Pres. Gibbons went over the role of the priesthood leaders. Never having served a mission -I found it all fascinating. I also find myself feeling more and more guilty for not sharing the gospel more. I've had to come out of my comfort zone so much serving in this capacity. I wish I'd come out of my comfort zone more at home. The Lord has given us tools to do missionary work. We have the language of the spirit. The members here need to be able to trust us and the only way to gain that trust is to love them and spend time getting to know them. Be selfless and be willing to sacrifice. Teach doctrine, principles then application. The Lord will strengthen us to do missionary work through the Atonement. Sharing the Gospel can save other's lives. Faith requires work. The Lord will help as we put forth faith - he will guide us. Faith is centered around the unknown. The members responsibility is to invite - not to convert - that comes with the Holy Ghost. The missionaries responsibility is to teach. If you had the most precious gift in the world - wouldn't you want to share it with those you care about? "I have something that really means a lot to me and has made my life complete. You are a very good friend of mine and I'd like to share that with you. How about you come to my house and have dinner one night? You know we've talked a few times about my church and I'd like to invite 2 young men over to explain a little more about our church to you. It would take about 1/2 an hour. What night would you be able to come and have dinner?" If we strengthen our understanding of the doctrine of Christ, it will do more to increase our excitement to do missionary work than anything else. It has been an exciting time to have my knowledge increased, my faith strengthened and my testimony of missionary work over flowing. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ and I'm happy to serve Him in this capacity.

Sister Lant and Sister Thompson Visiting Ukraine

Sister Lant (General Pres. of Primary) and Sister Thompson (General Relief Society Counselor) visited our mission on November 10th. We started out in Kharkov and visited families for Family Home Evening. The next day we visited some sisters and their families in the various branches. It was such a delight to visit with these two sisters and to visit these wonderful families. They gave a training session that Tuesday night. We traveled down to Donetsk Wedneday and that evening had another training session. These sisters have such a love for the gospel and for the people around the world they have visited. I felt so inspired and uplifted to be in their presence!