Half-way Already!

Week Of November 2-8, 2015

Central Park in Fall Glory

Matthew 24:22,  (not the verse I was looking for but it works)
     "...but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
We realized that today is the halfway mark of our mission.  Our days are definitely shortened.  The time just flies by.  (Pre Eyring gave a great talk about time.  Here's a link for anyone interested.
https://www.lds.org/liahona/1989/08/time-an-inheritance-from-god?lang=eng) This is a short version of his original talk given at a BYU fireside on May 14 1986.  Here is the link for that talk.  https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/henry-b-eyring_child-promise/

This has been a pretty normal kind of week. I've had a hard time deciding what to share.  It's starting to get pretty cold- but it's warm when the sun shines :).  One day is arctic, so you put the lining in your coat.  The next day the sun shines and out comes the lining.  The next day starts out cold, in goes the lining, but by 2:00 the sun is out and you wish the lining was too.

Needed a haircut so the Elders took him to their favorite spot.
this is the before shot

Yeah! stylin'!

the reward for their patience.  A lunch at El Paso

Last Sunday we were able to listen to an Area Stake Conference at church.  I wish we could share those talks with you.  They were amazing.  One Brother spoke of the wonderful saints of the Eastern European Area.  Tuesday at our Russian lesson with Alexandra we had a wonderful surprise that illustrates what he spoke about.  Our sweet Branch President's wife stopped by with some cuttings from, I think, her raspberry plants for Alexandra.  She has the most amazing garden.  Even during the drought her garden produced big, beautiful, produce.  During the winters she spends her time reading and studying how to make her garden the best it can be. She also brought us some bread and a wonderful lentil sauce that tasted just like really good humus. Her bread, her anything, is amazing and its because she has studied, practiced, and come up with something beautiful. Elder Lawrence, in the Stake Conference, talked about these wonderful people.  He said they love to read, study, and discuss everything, especially the gospel. They love the arts and take pride in their artwork- drawings, crafts, gardens, whatever they do.  In English class one night we were taking about authors.  One member started quoting  some lines of poetry and the rest of the class joined in.  They all knew it, from our dare-devil motorcycle rider to our computer tech and our street service manager.  They know their history, they love their country, and they tell you like it is- direct, honest, no hesitation!
We have so much to learn from these good people.

Just before the Presidents wife left she got out her wallet and Alexandra got hers, then they traded some coins.  Couldn't figure out what they were doing, but our native elder explained that tradition states, if you don't pay for a plant then it won't grow.  So, they gave each other 10 kopecks (Alexandra had brought her some cuttings too- of something yellow.  Never did figure out what they were) and hopefully their plants will grow in the spring

Ukrainian Kopecks

We both were finally given Home and Visiting Teaching Assignments and were able to go visiting this week.  Luckily we both have companions who speak impeccable English.

Chai (tea) is a tradition.  Always after dinner in the winter.  The best
is homemade. They include Mint, Melissa, and few yet to be named Herbs.

We also were invited out to the Relief Society Presidents house for a wonderful dinner and lesson. We love visiting because you are always welcomed so graciously and they are excited to have you there.  A gospel discussion and a prayer are expected and it is always a great discussion with everyone always taking part.

Home Teaching

Had a great time talking about everything, including scouts.
Pretty much the same here as in the US

Russian practice for our new Elder.  

She makes the BEST chocolate Cake and it comes in HUGE
pieces!  Homemade Compote Too!

Treats after a lesson.  homemade chips and salsa then slamming
Super Conte! yum

This time he lightly oiled the tortillas, salted them, cut and baked
them instead of frying the chips.  They were great!

I thought I would include an excerpt from one of Ned's journal pages about one of his visits this week

Saturday, November 7, 2015

"It was a great morning as I had the opportunity to travel out to the village to work with Igor in his garden with the Elders.  We worked to pull up the old plants and organize things for the next season.  Life continues day after day and we must do the things today that prepare us for the things of tomorrow. As I sit here and ponder this I’m impressed with the fact that we are eternal beings and must continue to work at the daily things of this life so that when the spring of our eternity presents it’s self we will be prepared to plant the seeds of exaltation so that we might work and harvest in that Celestial garden that has been prepared for those who prepare themselves. If we sit back and allow the fields of our lives to go fallow and not work the ground of eternal life by fertilizing it and tilling up the soil, we will not be prepared at the time of planting and, if the planting does not take place, there is no harvest.  In a simple way I tried to explain this to Igor, he being a farmer, that he needed to plant his seeds of faith right now and look to the fall harvest of his life. We will continue to take the tools of cultivation to him and work by his side to help him plant and harvest his garden of faith.  We came home and fed the elders lunch. It is such a privilege to work with these young men they are so determined to make a difference here in this part of Gods garden.  They are a light and inspiration to me."

Stopped in a little shop on our way to English and found this.

In Primary we are preparing for the yearly Sacrament Meeting Presentation where the children talk and sing about the things they have been learning throughout the year.  Last year was the first time ever that they did this so they are still pretty new to this.  They only know a few primary songs but they are awesome.  The Primary President didn't think they were ready- that they didn't know and would probably never be able to learn the songs.  So, we did a "Ukraine's Got Talent" day yesterday, to prove that they were more ready than she thought.  Kids always show their colors when the time comes.  We dressed up three judges, Elder K was the MC and they sang their little hearts out.  They only got 3 red flags and all the rest green!  I LOVE Primary music.  It is so important.  The children may not remember the lessons they had each Sunday, but they will remember the songs.

Little kids English

We had a wonderful Testimony meeting this week.  No matter where you go in the world, the message is the same.  The church is true, we are all children of a Father in Heaven who loves us and has created a plan, and if we follow that plan, we will have peace and joy in this life and in the life to come.  If we follow the prophets, in faith, knowing that the Lord is at the helm, directing the work, all will be well.
Have a wonderful week!  Love to you all
The Miks