Week 47 - May 2, 2016 I Love Eggs!!!

My dearest readers,

So I've just been super obsessed with eggs. I eat them ALL the TIME! 

Every morning I make a runny fried egg and put it on a piece of toast. It's heaven. 

Then for the Russian Easter, everyone gives out burgandy, hard-boiled eggs!!! 

Kopochi, I love eggs. 

SO the Russian tradition on Easter is to dye eggs, 

using red onion juice or beets (all natural) 

and then to make this bread cupcake thing? and to give out candy 

to little kids who knock doors ( like Halloween!). 

These nice old ladies on the street randomly gave us an egg each 

last night and some candy. I then wrote the common greeting "Христос Воскрес!" 

on my little egg. I was super obsessed with him, put a face on the back. 

So perfect! 

We've been out on the streets a lot this week. 

None of our investigators have been able to meet. 

We just keep praying for them and had a special fast for them this Sunday. 

Something that has helped me cast out doubts and fears has been just "going and doing." 

A lot of things happen in missionary work that we did not plan for, good and bad. 

But if we get stuck on the things that did or didn't happen, 

then we allow for "the evil one [to] have place in [our] heart[s] 

to destroy [our] peace and afflict [our] soul[s]." 

It wasn't until I gave training last district meeting that everything clicked. 

If something doesn't go "our way," then we have to suck it up and do it the Lord's way. 

When we do so willingly, He greatly blesses us! 

​We haven't taken a selfie in a while so here it is. . ..

 For example, we had a tough Saturday. 

Other missionaries in our area were out doing a fun service project, 

but because we didn't have an investigator or less-active there we couldn't go. 

So we ended up having an 8-hour contacting day. 

Not to mention things that morning just weren't working out for us. 

Our hot water was turned off; we had a really long, frustrating contact on the street; 

our investigator cancelled on us that evening. Things were just tough. 

I just turned to the Lord and said, "Look, I don't feel like going out and walking around 

to talk to people. I'm going to need your help." Luckily the Lord blessed me 

with a great companion who never complains, and we just went to work. 

The Lord put special people in our path. We ran into that English Anya again 

and talked to her for a while. Then made contact with two girls who wanted to meet next week. 

Then later that night, we were doing former investigator drop-bys and on the way, 

we just said "Good day" to this man, Sasha,  passing by, who asked where we were from 

and turned out to be super prepared. He has been investigating different religions for the past 15 years. Sasha goes to different churches, but something just doesn't quite fit for him. He's met with them all ... except for the "Mormons." He wanted to check out our church and read the Book of Mormon. He was super nice and wants to come to church next week! What a miracle! 

Last night we met a super sweet young woman, who just absolutely loves her family. 

We set up a return appointment for next week to talk more about God's plan for us. 

She, like Sasha, has been looking into different religions, but nothing quite fits. 

We are confident and have faith that she will find what she's been looking for!

Every day the Lord give us something to be grateful for. 

While we have been on the streets a lot this week, we've been finding a lot this week. 

And potentials we call are actually willing to meet with us. 

While things don't always work out like we hope, the Lord is always with us.

Thanks again for your love and support!!! I can't believe i\I'm 11 months into my mission! 

Next month will not only be my year mark, but also my 20th birthday! 

So crazy how much has changed but I am so blessed! Love you all!!!

-- 

Much love, 

Cectpa Graham

Week 46 - April 25, 2016

So the place that we usually email was closed for some weird reason. 

We have been all over the place so we didn't have enough time to email really well, 

so sorry folks. Next week we will hopefully be better! It has been a good week I promise. 

Learned a lot. I love you all and am grateful for the love and support!! 

Have a great week. HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY DAD!!!! Sorry I forgot last week. 

I did talk to Sister Hansen over the phone for her birthday. Such a treat!!! Seriously, 

its forbidden to talk to other missionaries within the mission, unless it's in person, 

or by authorized permission, if they are your leaders. 

It was the first time in three months we've talked. Miss her so much! 

We'll be rooming together next year yay!

 Overall its been good. It is a slow process but up and coming to learn to really love the area 

and to submit my will to the Lord's. I am grateful for scriptures and also talks form our church leaders. I read beware of pride. It helped me realize a lot where my unhappiness was coming from.

I had been really prideful. Trying to force my will to the Lord's. Also gratitude has helped me a lot cast out doubts and fears. We have been praying hard and specifically for miracles. We have seen a difference. Recently we've just been able to talk to some really nice people. We contacted this woman with a stroller outside of a store. She immediately said she is prov and will always be. Then we asked her how she would be celebrating easter. Her husband then came out and said. Oh its the English speaking girls. We ended up talking to both of them for about 40 minutes on the street in English. Super sweet couple who are interested in English club. They even bought us pears! So sweet.

-- 

Much love, 

Cectpa Graham

Week 45 - April 18, 2016 Don't Worry, Be Happy!!! Fear not and be of Good Cheer!

         Hello Hello!

Man so many awesome things happened this week! 

Can't fill you in on all but I'll be better next week. 

I made up for last week by sending a ton of photos. . .

Our district photo ft, freshly made gingersnaps by yours truly..... . .^^^^

All the sisters watching General Women's conference. Hurrah!

Look at our yummy General Conference food! 

Featuring our super yummy Salsa

Our last district meeting all together. . . 

JK practically our whole district will stay the same except 

for Elder Allred who is going over to kill Elder Shea. Man so much fun. 

​We made sushi!!! YAY!!!!! 

It included rice, carrots, cucumbers, and imitation crab sticks. 

********

The Lord has truly blessed us with so many miracles this week! 

Tuesday we met the most prepared woman ever! 

We had spent a couple contacting sessions 

that day without giving out any KM or having good conversations. 

It's the last 30 minutes or so before we return for our studies and dinner. 

We are walking and see this seemingly young girl walking past us 

and weren't sure how okay it was to contact her, but we did it anyway. 

She ended up being a woman who was just really short. 

Katia has two young kids and lives with the father. We ended up asking her 

where we go after this life, and she said she's never wanted to think about it 

because it's too scary. Then we said it's probably only scary if you don't know the answer. 

We then testified of a loving Father in Heaven who created a plan for us. 

Katia then said how she doesn't feel worthy of salvation. 

Then we read Alma 7:10-13 with her. She said she loved all of it. 

We asked if she'd be interested in learning more. She then replied 

"If I wasn't interested then I wouldn't be standing here, 

I would have walked away a long time ago." 

She took a KM right away and we exchanged numbers. 

We are going to meet with her this week. 

It was definitely a miracle we've been waiting for. 

Also we had an incredible meeting with Regina from last week. 

We sat her down with one the most wonderful members in all of the world, Anya. 

In words of Elder Fletcher, " She the closest thing to an apostle." 

We were able to pray with Regina at the closing and end of the meeting 

and she finally took a KM. We felt the spirit so strongly with her! It was just incredible! 

So grateful for the testimonies of humble, every-day members of our church. 

So much power!

Visa Trip! Visa Trip!

-- 

Much love, 

Cectpa Graham

Week 44 - April 11, 2016 The Worth of a Soul is Great in the Sight of God. . .

       My dearest readers,

Hello! I apologize for the low quality of mass emails I've been sending out. 

Just not enough time in the day haha. Thank you all so much for the personal emails, 

they really brighten up my week! I hope spring has been finding you well! 

It's been so beautiful here! The sun is out and shining all over Samara! 

I am so grateful to see the sun again. I have been in need of some sunshine. 

It's been a good, but rough week.

Nadia is the first person I have been able to find on the street, 

who then became a real investigator. She has a special place in my heart. 

Just Thursday, she told us that this was our last meeting. She is finished learning 

about our church (she hasn't prayed to know it's true) and won't even come to English club. 

She said it's because it is too hard for her to be meeting and getting to know missionaries 

just to have us leave a month or so later. It broke my heart. I just hope and pray 

that one day she'll try and figure out the truth for herself. 

Regina is another person I've found and come close to. 

We had a pretty rough meeting with her on Saturday. She then stated how she thinks 

I'm wasting my life here, and that these 18 months will have been for nothing. 

It definitely hurt. I don't believe a word of it, but still. 

I know that this is the most important thing I can be doing right now with my life. 

I know that it will bless my life for as long as I live. I don't regret serving a mission at all. 

I know why I am here. It's hard. It's exhausting. It's completely and utterly worth it. 

General Conference what just what I needed to lift up my spirits. 

WOW! I love hearing from a living prophet and living apostles today. 

They are truly inspired of God. I don't doubt that Thomas S Monson 

is a prophet of God called today to lead Christ's church. 

We are all children of God. 

He Loves us. He wants to pour all the greatest blessings upon us! 

We just have to give Him the chance. 

We do so by believing in Christ and keeping God's commandments. 

I love my Savior and am so grateful for an infinite, individual atonement. 

I love you all!

-- 

Much love, 

Cectpa Graham

Week 43 - April 4, 2016 Fear not, my little flock

           My dearest readers,

I've got 8 minutes. . . here goes nothing!

Wow so I'm not really sure what I feel like writing this week. 

It's been a really weird week for me. A lot happens in just a week. 

Although, it's safe to say this week has been full of the usual missionary cares. 

For some reason, I just feel like I need to talk about fear. страх. 

Life is pretty scary and full of things to be afraid of: going to a new school, 

starting a family, getting up for work every day, 

deciding what to do with the rest of your life, 

or even just going out for the day. 

I definitely have three minutes now. 

Okay korochi, we will be having fears for the rest of our lives if we let it happen. 

Fear is not from God. Don't be afraid to do what is right. Be brave. 

The Lord will help us though the hard times. No one is too far gone from His love. 

God loves us. We are His children. Everything is for our good!!!!! LOVE 

Making the yummy curry from America. So good!!!

Taco Tuesday!! Missionary life is just an adventure!

Here's our lovely district! 

We found nacho flavored tortilla chips to go along 

with the salsa sister Hofmann and I made. SUCCESS!! 

-- 

Much love, 

Cectpa Graham

Week 42 - March 28, 2016 Someone told me it was Easter...

     My dearest readers,

I am probably the worst missionary every since I forgot it was Easter yesterday. 

In Russia, Easter is May 1st. I always associate Easter with General Conference, 

so I assumed I still had a week or so. бывает. "It happens." 

Russia is just becoming a part of me. Pretty soon I'll be hitting the mark 

of when I got my mission call. It's crazy how much my life has changed in the past year. 

I must admit there was a bit of a fear when I realized I had 9 months left on the mission. 

Now slowing approaching 8 months. I'm serving with an elder who is a part of 

this big group of elders that are going home with me. Every once and a while it hits us. 

President Schwab, my mission president, sent me a really simple, 

but sweet message this week: "You have had a great first half of your mission 

and now have a WONDERFUL second half to look forward to. 

Yes, there will be challenges, but much more growth and much happiness" 

I am so excited to see what challenges, miracles, and experiences I'll have. 

I know that the Lord is ever so aware of each one of us. 

We had an incredible lesson with a member this week. 

Natasha watches over her 96 year old grandmother. 

Natasha was planning on going to the temple for the first time on Saturday to Kiev. 

Natasha had spent the last few months finding family names to take to the temple. 

She had her ticket and bags all packed, only to find her grandmother's health worsening.

With no one else willing to watch the ailing woman, 

Natasha had to forego her long anticipated trip to the House of the Lord. 

We stopped by trying to give her support and love. After reading "Yielding Our Hearts to God," 

from last general conference, Natasha shared that she had had a dream. In that dream, 

she was at he grandma's old country home. When we walked in, 

she saw all her ancestors whose names she had found and prepared, 

with one of her grandmas in the center. Natasha remembered saying 

"They are all here! Wonderful!" 

Then her deceased grandmother said, "No they are not. 

You forgot (list of specific family names). You need to find them." In tears, 

Natasha finished telling us her dream. She said she had in fact forgotten those family members. 

She took this as her answer as to why she wasn't able to go this past Saturday. 

Then she said, "My bags are still packed. I know I'm going to go to the temple this year. 

I just know it." I have never felt my testimony strengthened so much about the temple 

and family history. Natasha had enough trust in the Lord to recognize this incredible answer. 

I finished this past Sunday feeling so refreshed and blessed. God has all wisdom. 

He knows what He is doing. Even when it seems like everything is falling apart, 

it actually means things are falling into place. 

I'd like to end with a scripture that perfectly explains to me 

why Jesus Christ took upon so much pain, suffering, and anguish on our behalf. 

1 Nephi 19:9 And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. 

Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness 

and long-suffering towards the children of men.

I know this to be true. I love Him with all my heart, might, mind and strength. He lives!

-- 

Much love, 

Cectpa Graham

Week 41 - March 21, 2016 Hola? Privyet? Ni Hao? Hello?

            My dearest readers!

I thought I was in California for a little bit this week. 

I was on splits with sisters Thomas and Nielson. It was super fun! 

I hope I can serve with sister Thomas before she dies next cycle. 

We've always seen each other around transfers, but were finally able to serve together 

and just loved every second of it. Including our excursion to a Mexican restaurant. 

No, unfortunately there was no Horchata there. Yes, I was very sad. 

Yes, I did sing Vampire Weekend's song starting with "In December. . . " 

Sister Thomas and I went to a Mexican restaurant in Russia. . . 

It's been a good week! Zone training was just what I needed to kickstart this next cycle. 

It's really hard to realize when you are letting doubts and fears get to you. 

In Lehi's dream, he refers to them as a "dark mist." It's SO true! 

Mist is something that creeps up on you, gradually, of which you don't realize 

you are in until it's thick enough to fog your vision. For this reason, 

God commands us to "pray always, that you may come off conquerer (D&C 10:5)." 

We have to keep asking for help and protection. If we don't do so continuously, 

then we are telling God we don't need Him that day. 

I read something really interesting in Jesus the Christ about prayer. 

James E. Talmage talks about the "ask and ye shall receive" promise of the Lord. 

He then goes on to share two parables, the one of the "friend at midnight" 

and the "Importunate woman." Both these stories talk about how the "importunity" 

of both these people lead to them receiving that which they desired. Importunity, 

I have concluded, means pleading persistently. These two people have "proper purposes" 

for pleading, for us missionaries is it a "righteous cause."  

The moral of the two parables was that our perfect, loving Heavenly Father 

would give us those things that we ask for, that which are good. 

Talmage also says that sometimes, out of mercy, the Lord withholds blessings 

for a little while so that our prayers become more fervent. It really hit me. 

Sometimes the Lord makes us wait a little longer for blessings to see if we really want them. 

We need to keep asking, just like we need to keep practicing 

how to shoot that three-pointer until we can get the desired result. 

If we stop asking or practicing, then we lose that which we had acquired. 

I want to really improve my prayers so that my works are backed up by my faith. 

We made yummy teriyaki chicken!! 

Yay for sugar, soy sauce, and water! 

Happy mum? I took off my glasses haha

Whelp I'm out of time again! Last week, I forgot to tell you that 

I met with a babooshka in another sisters' area. While introducing ourselves, 

sis Thomas, the younger aka from my district, explained how she wants to do something 

with biology. Then the babooshka went off about how she thinks that people who go into 

public relations have no future and she hates everyone of that profession. 

Safe to say i said nothing

-- 

Much love, 

Cectpa Graham