Oops we're late

 Week of August 24-30, 2015

This is what a 100 year old pear tree looks like.

This week started out with a bang.  Monday was День незалежності України or Ukrainian Day of Independence. Its celebrated in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence of 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.  We've started having Family Home Evenings on Monday nights teaching families how to be member missionaries.  After our lesson and a treat they took us to the central park to see the festivities.  It was just like celebrations in America.  Vendors, music, carnival rides, food...but instead of seeing Bunkerville T-shirts or red, white, and blue, there was traditional Ukrainian... everywhere.  It's cool!
It's funny, though,  everything seems so the same as home. You forget that when people open their mouths you won't understand anything they say.  I think that's why we forget to use the words we learn (and then forget that we learned them at all) because it seems that we don't need them.  I hope that made sense.

Independence Day at Central Park

Anyway,  we saw some a traditional Cossack Fire Dancing after which there were some tributes to soldiers who are fighting right now.  

Tuesday the new Elders from a neighboring town (sort of.  its about 21/2 hours away) came over for District Meeting and to do splits.  One had only been in country for 3 weeks.  I was so impressed.  He's getting the language, is confident,  and did everything he could to take part.  Starting next transfer, every Elder here right now, will be training the new Elders coming in, even this new Elder will be training.  We'll miss all the Elders that leave (14 of them) but we're excited to see the growth that this newness will bring, in the Elders (and Sisters) and in the branches.

We were able to help harvest potatoes a couple times this week.  Once for a man whose wife had to go to the hospital (at least we think that what they said.  We went without translators that day).  He hadn't had time to get the crops in, so, a sweet lady in the Branch was taking her kids over to help and we tagged along. We had to dig by hand because he had parsnips (at least they were long and white like parsnips) growing between the rows (smaller farm).  This next story is for Mom and Royce. The Ukrainian word for beans is фасоль (fahsol).  while we were digging potatoes I kept hearing them talk about фасоль/beans.  I looked around and couldn't see any bean plants anywhere that needed to be harvested and was confused by their conversation. Finally Sister сизоф realized my confusion and explained that the cow, which had been grazing right next to us all morning, was named "Beans".  We had a good laugh about that one.

The potato picking crew and our friend, Фасоль (Beans), the cow
in the background 

After the potato harvest in this village, the Elders dug out
a soft spot where a tree had been removed.  When a dump truck
delivered brick for a remodel, it hit this soft spot and tipped
over taking the farmers fence with it. So, out with the soft dirt,
in with the new.

Friday we went to Kyiv again for interviews.  I'm not sure I like riding купе's, or sleeper cars.  The man over on the other bunk is always asleep and they are not very comfortable if you can't sleep on trains. 

 But, we had a wonderful visit with the President, and a yummy lunch with the office couple at a place they call Eddy's.  So, it was all worth it.  Mission President is a hard job.  Both he and his wife were looking a little haggard by the time we got there.  He interviews all the missionaries, I think, 4 times a year.  Add that to an already busy schedule and by the time you're through,  they are both ready for a chance to put their feet up and nap for a long while.  They just don't get time to do that.  We are so grateful for the Packer family. 
 We're grateful for all the wonderful people here in Ukraine and for all of you at home.  I didn't get to add my minute onto last weeks blog so Id like to take a minute here to send our thanks again to all those who helped us through our two weddings.  

We felt so bad that we weren't much help but, Kelsey and Sonia were amazing as they planned and worried and worked so hard.  Jonathan and Daniel were rocks.  Janet and Maury both just opened their doors and said, "Here, the house is yours."  My brother and his wife and my sisters and their husbands all traveled far and made all the refreshments for the Open house in Bunkerville, we borrowed houses, cars (thanks Daniel, Daniel/Brent, and Erika), decorations, time, talents, sound systems, brains, computers (we ordered flowers via Skype and online banking) and my boys were so excited to introduce their wonderful wives to everyone they know.  My sweet aunt and two cousins whom we haven't seen for years even traveled down to Ohio from Michigan to visit with us.  It was all so much fun and we couldn't have done any of it without all of you, our friends, family, and neighbors, who made it all happen.  Thank-you so very much! спасибo вам большое- очень большое спасибо!

Have a wonderful week!  Keep in touch.  
Love to you all,
The Mikk's

A wonderful Sunday dinner. They thought we were feeding them
but really, they had provided most of the meal with produce they
had sent home with us during the week and brought with them to
dinner.  People here are so gracious.  We love them.

Looking at wedding photos. she had asked several times but we didn't
have them with us.  And her Dad came so he could learn how to make
cookies for his grandchildren.  We had a lot of fun. 

Local performer we enjoyed watching with one of our
Branch Members The video below is of a very talented
pigeon that also enjoyed the music.

Beautiful flowers Ned bought at the outdoor market

Love these two family pictures and if you notice- the girls and
boys are now even!  :)