Пусть зто снег! (Let it Snow)

 Week of January 11-17, 2016

We put our Christmas Decorations away after the
third celebration to find that no one here puts theirs
away until after The Provaslav New Year on the 14th.
Decorations are still up all over and Christmas
music is still being sung.  I LOVE IT!

Elder Mikkelsen showing the city lights to his
new/or temporary companion.

This is what we woke up to Sunday morning.

A selfie on the way to church

We haven't been to this/our Branch for a month.  Forgot
that it didn't start till 11:00- so somebody had to do it!
Good thing we came early.  There was a man waiting at
the door to talk to someone about the church.

Let me start by saying, "Thank you, Jennifer Noorda!"(the shopping queen!)  President Packer told us at the last Zone Conference there was no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.  We are prepared with good winter wear (all except for the gloves that went home instead of to Ukraine- but that means I get to buy some mittens instead which will be much better!) and I am so grateful!  It started snowing yesterday morning (Sunday) and isn't supposed to quit until tonight.  Odessa does not usually get this much snow.  By the end of the day we should have a foot and a half- of course, it won't look like that because we also have high winds.

Our winter world from outside.

from inside

from the other  side

Got to love the wind!

Our Catherine must have been a great woman.
So stalwart- even in the wind and snow! 

There's a sidewalk in there somewhere

It may be a long walk to work today.  All the public transportation
is shut down

Our front door

A selfie of the brave photographer

 Last year the city was snowed in for a couple days- really snowed in.  No transportation, stores closed...... Yesterday, roads were piling up and getting really slick so the Branch President announced we'd better go home after second hour, Sunday School.  I think some of those from far away left but, it was so cool, the rest didn't seem to want to go, so the RS Pres went ahead had a combined Relief Society and Priesthood meeting.  Then everyone hurried home.  We can't complain though.  We are warm and comfy and we don't have it nearly as bad as The Waite's in Russia or The Mikkelsen's in Logan or the Mikkelsen's in Ohio and Salt Lake.  I guess we could feel sorry for that Mikkelsen in Cancun basking between 60 and 75, (we're working on our positive attitude today!) but we are just so glad somewhere its warm and that one of our loved ones gets to enjoy that blessing.

Oh yea no SNOW here!

     The bad weather has brought on the flu season with a vengeance. News reports early in the week said over 50 have already died from complications, 25 of which were here in Odessa.  We have one Elder in the hospital with pneumonia, and a couple others sick at home.  The hospital Elder was told when he got there, that he would have to stay for 2 weeks!  They put him directly in isolation so no one cold visit him.  His companion got to stay with us till a mini-missionary (an awesome young man who already has a mission call to Salem, Oregon) from Vinnitsya could come to work with him (He is a Branch President so really needed to be able to work in his area) In the meantime, Ned got to be his companion.  He had 2 really busy days from early morning till late night.  He was worn out but he had great fun! We went to the hospital a couple days later and the whole hospital was under quarantine. The medical system is so much different here.  Long hospital stays are required in many cases where we would be sent home immediately after getting proper medication.  Our poor Elder has had some mighty long days with only his books to keep him company.  We are so glad he got the care he needed and I'm sure he did some good missionary work while there.

They found out they couldn't go visit the invalid so they sweet-
talked one of the nurses into getting a picture for them to
send to his mom.  He's almost better :)

Ned hanging out with the Elders.  They had to take a taxi to
make it their next meeting on time.  he was worn out by the
end of the day living the schedule of these awesome young
men.

The rest of the week seems like a month ago.  It was a great week.  I am always amazed when we go to District Meetings.  These wonderful youth are outstanding leaders.  They are so focused on mission goals and purposes and they lead as if they had been doing it their whole lives.  In fact, we stopped at a Mexican restaurant for a quick bite with our area CES Director and met an American man who also is impressed with our elders and sisters.  He said he is still angry with heaven about certain things that happened a few years back and has never really liked any religious type people who come into the country (he has been in Eastern Europe for about 30 years) except for Mormon Missionaries.  He says they are polite, happy, clean cut, and they don't try to shove something down your throat.  They come to serve and they do. He is so impressed with how they learn the language and they live what they preach.  We thought that was kind of cool. 

Our guests couldn't come to dinner and all their appointments
cancelled so they all came over for a minute to help eat the food,

before heading back out to work.  No bad weather! Great
clothing!

oops!  All except for the holes in the boots ;)
These youth are also very resourceful.  Never
go anywhere without a пакет (plastic sack) in your pocket.

Everything was almost ready when they arrived but the salad.
Our sweet French sister created this.  It had a little of everything.
one Elder said no thanks.  He was allergic to beets but it was so good
we all had seconds.

On Neds birthday we hosted a leadership training meeting for the seminary and institute teachers.  Host for us usually means they come to our apartment and we feed them.  Sometimes we also give a spiritual thought.  They are a group of very dedicated women, most of them moms with a couple other callings.  They came at 6:30 and stayed till 10:30.  It was a great meeting.  They learned a LOT.

Earlier that day some Elders surprised Ned with a great
cake.  It was crispy with lots of cream and almonds.

But the best part was the candles!

The next day was Seminary Super Saturday!  We got to teach a little section and then we fed them American Tacos.  I think they were a hit.  I've been reading a lot about the need for all of us to do a little better- a lot better, if we are going to be strong enough to survive the challenges of these last days.  These kids are ready.  Not knowing exactly what goes on in any meeting, it seemed to me that maybe I could suggest some ways to make a Super Saturday more super.  I was talking to one of the leaders after starting to give suggestions and he explained that the kids were really enjoying themselves and that they are striving to help the kids not only learn the scriptures but also to learn how to apply the lessons learned to their everyday lives. That was a lesson for me.  Maybe we try too hard to entertain sometimes and don't get to the meet of whats most important.

Super Kids at a SUPER Saturday

A taco feast!  Had a few too many tortillas. Homemade tortillas,
refried beans, cheese, Chinese cabbage lettuce, and Ned's
famous homemade salsa!

One other wonderful moment for me this week was in Primary on Sunday.  we have been visiting a different branch each Sunday.  I have gone into Primary in each one to see if there are any needs or questions that could be answered at a training.  I had read in the outline what could be taught that day and was so pleased to see that what was probably being taught in Bunkerville was being taught in Odessa and they had a great time as well as learning a wonderful lesson.

They blindfolded this boy, turned him around and sent him to
find the picture of Christ, but they had mixed up all the furniture
so he couldn't find his way without help.

Found it! and picked the boy holding it right up off the chair
he was so excited.

The next time they were given and iron rod-the word of God
 to hold onto to help get then there.

The church is true!   The work is so important!  All is well!  Hope all is well for all of you.

Love from

the Mik's