Work like crazy the time is short

Week of August 31, - September 6, 2015
  

Primary back to school activity last Monday. The kids are
all back in school now.

Remodeling homes and building lives is all a part of the days activities here in Ukraine. We were blessed with the opportunity to spend time out in the village this week working on a ремонт (Remodel).

The back porch before we began.

It is fun to spend time doing things you love to do. When you serve a mission the Lord puts you where you need to be and then you need to be what the Lords wants you to be. Our mission president just keeps telling us to find our niche. He testified to us that we would know what it was once we found it. Well I have found one part of what the Lord wants us to do.

Elder Golling hauling off the window

Igor taking out a window that his Grandfather installed

First wall is out it was made of cinder block, kind of.  The ones
here are not hollow like in the USA.

When I was out the other day hauling off rubble from tearing a block wall, down Sister Ulia asked in her broken English, "How do you say, 'thank you very much', in a better way?". I told her that was about the best thing you could say if you were really grateful for something. She then said, "OK. Thank you very much". She went on to tell me how this project had been started 11 years ago and that she had always wanted a bigger kitchen to work in and enough room so that the entire family could sit down and eat together.

Here is the block all hauled outside

But there was never anyone that could help them to do the remodel that knew how to do it. She told me that we were an answer to her prayer and she was grateful for us helping them.  

This is the door we installed on Saturday
These doors are all steel frame nothing like
we use in home construction in America

the door is installed now the brick work will begin next week

It has been a fun experience to work with the elders.  The other day while we were tearing the wall down, the elders had the time of their lives.  I guess there is something about demolition that brings out the beast in the young elders.

Our hard working Missionaries

 They worked like crazy trying to be the one who took down the most wall.  By the end of the day they were exhausted but very happy with their work.  I too was impressed by how hard they worked.  The sad thing is that this is their last week in the field. We will be losing our too fine elders along with 12 others throughout our mission.  They will really be missed as they all head home. They have done an amazing job the last two years.  The next day those 14 missionaries will be replaced by 17 new missionaries.  So we will lose those young men who have given their all for the past two years and are about worn out, but we will gain 17 new fresh missionaries that will begin fresh with all the zeal of youth to go out and conquer the world.  That means that every missionary left in the mission will be training a brand new missionary.  That includes Elder Palmer who just entered the country 5 weeks ago.  He is from Idaho.  

We had an amazing sister missionary return from her mission this week on Wednesday.  

Welcome home Sister Alissa Bevzuik

On Friday she went contacting with the elders.  On Sunday she brought two investigators with her to church.  We are so grateful that she is here to help with the work since our area is getting white washed (This is the missionary term for taking out both missionaries on the same transfer).  Between her and us hopefully no one will fall through the cracks.  We also have started having FHE with young families in our branch and sharing ways that they can be missionaries.  

Our future missionaries

Tacos and watermelon this little guy loved
watermelon

A party hat for Katya's birthday

The little family that came this past week were very excited about dressing up and being missionaries.  When we finished with our lesson we made homemade tortillas and had tacos.  The kids had a great time rolling out the tortillas.  We also had a late celebration for the moms birthday. They will make great missionaries.

This weekend was the celebration of the founding of our city of Vinnistya (Виннитса). It is over 600 years old.  There were stages all over town with performers from all over the country participating in the celebration.  It was fun but this made it difficult to get around on the public transportation.  

Love these signs for you that don't read Cyrillic alphabet
This says Burritos and on top it says tasty and fast 

Several roads were closed down and the electric buses had to take different routes to get around the city.  We entered one bus. I was the last one on and when the doors closed it was like putting a lid on a sardine can.  Janet got ahold of the hand rail above her head and for 20 minutes could not let go because there was no where to put her hand.  I got a phone call during the same time. I'm not sure the lady in front of me appreciated my efforts in trying to answer the phone.  But as I post every week on Facebook the adventure continues.....

We hope each of you are having the time of your life.  Alma 34: 32 For behold, this life is the time for men (women)to prepare to meet God, yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men (women) to perform their labors. As you labor in the field of your current calling may you find joy in the journey and do all that you can to prepare to meet God and, by the way, bring as many as you can with you to that meeting.  May you each be blessed as you serve this next week and make sure to look for your niche in Gods kingdom so you can make a difference.

Love you all Elder and Sister Mikkelsen

Welcome home dinner for Sister Bevzuik

Getting a little crazy

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!  :)

Home again, Home again, jig-ity-jig

Week of August 17-23, 2015
We landed back in our little home of Vinnistya!!!  How we missed being here and working with these wonderful people.  It is hard being homeless especially in a world where you thought everything was so familiar and then you find out when you get there that you just don't fit in anymore.

Jonathan and Kelsey taking wedding vows
(Uncle Brent's Finger top right)

Logan Temple welcoming the newly married Daniel and Sonina

 Not to say that all the people there did not bend over backwards to help us at the weddings and receptions ( and we love you and thank you for all your help) but when you receive a call from your Heavenly Father to serve somewhere else your heart is moved to your new calling.
To recap the week, on Monday we had a day to go and purchase some items to take back with us.

One item that could not be left Ice cube trays how I have
missed my ice!

 It is interesting to see all the things that you think you need when you are away from the USA, but when the suit case reaches 50 LBS, they don't seem quite as important as you thought they were.

Opening wedding presents

 Our son Daniel and his new wife were the lucky recipients of all the items we couldn't fit into our luggage.  We had a wonderful time with them on Monday evening as we shared some time with them opening presents they received at their reception.  It was much more difficult to say good by this time when we parted than it was six months ago.  That was the case with everyone. It just seemed a little more difficult this time.

Janet's angel mom saying goodbye is tough

I can see the wisdom in not allowing Elders and Sisters the opportunity to come home for events.  It is a difficult distraction to overcome. On the same note, I'm glad that Senior Couples can come home to take part in important family events.  We are so blessed that we were able to have both weddings and three receptions all packed together in a short two week period.
We left the good old USA on Tuesday afternoon and arrived back in our apartment early Thursday morning. The miracle of air travel is wonderful.

Modern day covered wagons

до свидания (Goodbye America)

 We traveled half way across the world and did it all in less than 24 hours. The pioneers of yester-year were tough people.  What we did in 24 hours would take them 6 months to a year to accomplish.  I can't believe that the handcart people were allowed 14 LBS each for their personal items.  We struggled though airports and train stations lugging close to 200 LBS.  As we stepped off the train in Vinnistya I was really concerned about lugging all that luggage up and down the two flights of stairs at the train station.  It was a wonderful surprise when our two angel missionaries were standing on the platform as we got off the train.

The Elders are wonderful Thanks Elder Hunt and Golling

What a blessing they have been to us here in Ukraine.  Not only did they lug our suitcases up those steep stairs they also got us a taxi to get us home to our apartment.
Thursday we spent the day getting our life back in order with cleaning, shopping and laundry. Friday we made our way out to a small village where we assisted a family in harvesting their potatoes.

Potato Harvesting

 This is a very import time of year as their main winter sustenance is root type crops.  I found out that I'm not built to harvest potatoes.  They are arranged on the ground close to my feet which requires lots of bending over.  By the end of the day my "bend over" muscles were quite sore.
On Saturday we took our good friend Zena back to the same village and she helped us visit some wonderful members.  Our last visit was to the Branch Presidents house.  We arrived unannounced and they were right in the middle of harvesting potatoes, so, it was off with the tie and back to stretching out those bend over muscles again for several more hours.

these berries are the best

Sister Mikkelsen also assisted in the picking of black berries and raspberries and when we left the branch presidents wife sent all the berries home with us.  These people are so generous. After two days of working in the village our fridge is so full we can't put another thing in it.
Our Sunday was wonderful, as usual, and we had a wonderful dinner at our home.

Sister Carr far end of table Sasha and wife Nichole right front

 There was a young couple at church today Sasha and his new bride Nichole.  He was a return missionary from here and his bride is from Utah.  They had come back for a visit and are planning on moving to Texas to go to school.  We also had a return Sister Missionary that was visiting.  Sister Carr is a loved missionary that served here for about seven months. We always hear stories of the famous Sister Carr and Sunday we had a chance to share our home with her and several other investigators.  It has been a wonderful week and we are super busy this next week getting a Humanitarian project finished up.  The church awarded a very sizable donation to a local hospital and we need to coordinate with the hospital administrator in getting the materials purchased.  And this being the season of harvest we will be exercising more than our testimonies this week.  We hope you all have a great week and know that we are praying for you.
Love Elder and Sister Mikkelsen

World's cutest Grand Daughter

Family

Week of August 10-16, 2015
"...Families are ordained of God, they are the most important...unit in time and eternity.   God has established families to bring happiness to His children... A home established on gospel principles will be a place of refuge and safety.  It will be a place where the Spirit of the Lord can abide, blessing family members with peace, joy, and happiness..." (PMG p 

This is family and we are blessed by them

We've had a hectic week (to say the least) but a wonderful week filled with the most important people in our lives and that peace, joy and happiness that comes from being with those you love. We are so very grateful for all the family and friends that helped to make these 2 weddings happen- at least our part of them.  Kelsey and Jonathan and Sonina and Daniel did an amazing job planning and preparing for 2 beautiful and fun weddings. We are so lucky to have two, no, make that 3, talented, creative, compassionate, fun, beautiful, daughter-in-laws.  Family!  Family is so important and these wonderful women have already made us so much better and are helping us to stay focused on the things that will keep us together forever.  Maybe I need to make that 4 women that are keeping us strong.  Our precious Riley Ann!

This little girl was an angle

 Its amazing how one sweet little baby, with her giant spirit, straight from heaven, can bring such joy and such purpose to a whole family.  We love our boys.  We love their wives.  We love our grandchild.  WE ARE FAMILY!
So, here's pictures from the week and its joyous events.  Then tomorrow, back to work!
We spent Monday night in the airport in Columbus and Denver trying to get back to SLC but we made it Tuesday morning just in time to leave for our 6 hour drive to Bunkerville.  When we got there the most wonderful people in the world were there to help us put together a beautiful Open House. A special thanks goes to Janet Dodenbier who had to leave at noon to travel to Idaho to be with her daughter who delivered that morning.

Brian Haviland giving Jacob a Nuggy Head rub

My wonderful sister LeeAnn helped so much

Jacob was all over the place

We love the Bunker"Village"

Jonathan showing his wife and daughter the
VVHS wrestling room

Several others stepped in like Joy Havland, Janet Dodenbier's girls and her wonderful husband were there to help with anything we needed.  My wonderful sister LeeAnn and her two girls worked so hard to get the flowers ready and Uncle Dave and Aunt Sherrie and Mejken and Bri Theurer where there helping at every point in the day. It is such a blessing to have wonderful family and friends.
The weather on Wednesday was very cooperative and we had lots of people come and visit that night.  (We had a great time taking pictures.) It was great to see you all again and the boys were so happy to have you meet their lovely brides.
Friday was a wonderful day at the temple with Daniel and Sonina being sealed for time and all eternity.  It was a fast day with a luncheon at the Famous Blue Bird Restaurant and then a lovely reception at the Four Seasons in Logan Utah.

A wonderful couple on a wonderful day

Thanks to my niece Jennifer for all of her help

Jacob congratulating the newly weds

Fun photos

Logan Utah Temple

Jacob kept things under control at the reception

The wedding quilt

Love selfies

and they're off

Sunday night we had a mini family reunion at janet's sisters house it was fun to get the cousins together.

Jacobs likeness will enjoy living with his
Cousin Jennifer

Mini family reunion

It has been a wonderful two weeks with friends and family but we must admit we are a little like ducks out of water.  We are looking forward to returning home to Ukraine to continue to serve where we have been called.  Being homeless in the USA is no fun and we look forward to returning to our beloved Vinnistya.  We hope each of you have a wonderful week and stay close to the gospel and love your families they are so precious.