Sister Amanda DeMille

family and friends,

not too much to report about last week, except zone conference. we left here wednesday, stayed with the sisters in Kherson on wednesday night, and then we all got up bright and early to get on our train at 6 am. unfortunately there was not a magical lady with a cart or kids in robes like on harry potter, but my comp and i and sister johnson and her comp sister kochel, were all in a "coupe" together. just a little room where we can chill basically. we had a good time and we got in Simferopol around noon that day. we helped set up the branch for zone conference, studied, and went on splits that night with the sisters there. it was fun, but COLD! i thought down in the south in crimea it would be warm, but i was wrong. zone conference the next day started at 8 am and went until 6 pm! it was amazing! it was such a pleasure to have Elder and Sister Bennett from the area 70 presidency with us. we focused on having Charity and implementing that into our contacting and teaching. we actually went out and contacted and our goal was to just have charity, and it was awesome! we are trying to just be more charitable and see everyone as children of God. it was a great experience! we all learned so much that day and the spirit was so strong! at the end of the meeting we had the opportunity to all share a short testimony, and the missionaries here are all so amazing and so strong! it was truly a special day and we are all trying to do better in our work because of it. the cool thing was is that Elder Bennett and Pres. Van Bruggen have been friends since junior high! and Elder Bennett was a big influence on Sister Van Bruggen and her conversion at age 19. She made a joke how the two pushiest people (her husband and Elder Bennett) that helped here into the church were in the same room as us! haha. it really was amazing and they are so humble and serve so well.

this week i had a realization of how important your mission language is. for me, it's russian haha. i used to think that "oh, people will be able to understand me and the spirit will just testify what i'm saying anyway" but i've realized now more than ever, that connecting with these people in every way possible has been such a blessing and so hard, but i learned and i love it. russian used to be like an enemy, like a big wall that i would just try to climb around or under, instead of climbing over it and conquering it. i am not a pro at russian nor will i ever will be, but i have been blessed to be able to communicate with them in their language in a way that they can understand me. it has been a hard experience, but amazing nonetheless.

we had an interesting experience last week. we decided to go see some churches of the main faiths here in Nickolaiv. so we went with the elders and our branch pres. was our "tour guide" and we saw 3 churches that are more like cathedrals. they were beautiful and interesting, but you can tell the distinct differences between our faith and our churches and their faith and their churches. but i am glad that the people here worship and are devoted to faith, regardless of what it is. the day was topped off with seeing a brand new car get blessed with holy water (it's a tradition to bless new cars). it was interesting!

i am so thankful for the gospel and the peace it brings into our lives. i realize how many people are without the knowledge of the gospel and truth, and are wandering in darkness. it's hard work to try to find the elect, but we are doing it to assist in the true gathering of israel. i have seen so many blessings and miracles from being a missionary and i love it! i know that God is watching over us and He is leading us and guiding us. He is more involved in our lives than we think! sometimes the future is scary and unknown, but God will never forsake us as long as we are obedient. I love you all and I'm so thankful for your support!

cectpa demille