Holy Ghost "INTO" Your Heart

Week of January 18-25, 2016
This blog is one day longer because yesterday we had zone conference with Elder Klebingat of the 70.  What a wonderful experience, but I'll get to that later in this week's blog. We closed last week's blog with a snow storm that continued on Monday.  The rest of the week it has been very cold.  The streets in downtown Odessa are very narrow and with all the snow piled up on the curbs the traffic has become very congested.

200 stairs just a little icy

"Sister Mikkelsen come sit by me"

time to shovel the driveway 

 It is a blessing we don't have to drive a car and can walk wherever we need to go.  The other day we walked to church (Two whole blocks). When we walked out our door there was the #137 bus just passing our front door.  That bus drives right past the church.  When we entered the church the bus was just over half way to the church. Wow! Cars are really over rated.  The other blessing that comes with this much snow is we get to practice our faith.  Just as Peter walked on the water, we do too.  The water is just a little more condensed than what he walked on but we have to admit it is almost as scary.  There is another issue with water that has become apparent this week as we watched caution tape go up around the city closing or diverting some of the sidewalks.  At first I couldn't figure out what the deal was. The sidewalks were clear of snow.  Then I looked up an saw huge ice cycles, I'm sure they weighed hundreds of pounds, hanging off the roofs.

Watch out below

 Yesterday we walked by a place where one had fallen to the ground and there where blocks of ice that easyily weighed 10 to 15 LBS after they fell to the ground and broke. I do not want to see the statistics for the number of people that have perished by falling ice cycles.

Lets get rid of this stuff

The cold has been a blessing.  We have a built in freezer right out side our deck door that has helped relieve the congestion in our refrigerator.
This past week was FHE with the young adults in the area. The bad weather curtailed our numbers a little bit but we had an enjoyable time with them.

Happy Birthday Uncle David

They make you feel young and are so appreciative of anything you do for them. We taught from the For Strength of Youth and had a discussion about physical relationships and what is and isn't proper.  That day happened to be Uncle Dave's birthday (Janet's brother) so she made him a birthday cake and we recorded all those in attendance singing Happy Birthday to him.

This is the new Diet Birthday Cake you only get to look at it.

It was more like Happy birz-day the TH sound is very difficult for Ukrainian speakers to say.  Compared to all the sounds found in learning their language they are way ahead of me in even coming close to some of the sounds we have to try and wrap our tongues around.
Our little Ukrainian that we teach English to, gave her first Institute lesson on Wednesday.  She was very nervous but did an excellent job.  Even though I understood very few words during the lesson it was obvious she was doing a good job by the amount of participation and the warming influence of the Holy Ghost.
This past week President Packer asked if I would write the message for the mission newsletter. During the week I had the opportunity to write three different messages the first two were of my own creation and were not bad but they just didn't seem right.  Finally on Thursday we had the opportunity to participate in the World Wide Mission Conference that the church presented.

World Wide Mission Conference in English, Russian, and French

After listening to the inspired counsel from three apostles I was told what the message should be. Elder Bednar discussed the process of allowing the Holy Ghost to take the gospel into our hearts.  He told us we were mistaken if we thought that we could place the Holy Ghost into the hearts of those we teach.  He impressed upon us that we couldn't do that. We could only deliver the Holy Ghost "Unto" the hearts of man but it requires each individual to take it "INTO" their own hearts.
The Holy Ghost delivered "INTO" my heart the things that I should share with the missionaries here in the Kyiv Ukraine Mission. We are the vessel that the Holy Ghost uses to go to those we teach and therefore we must be clean and obedient if we want the Holy Ghost to deliver the message of the gospel to the people we interact with.  We treasure up in our hearts the words of eternal life through our daily study and pondering and then when we teach, we but have to open our mouths and allow the Holy Ghost the opportunity to bring all things to our remembrance.

Treasure up knowledge

 We can then share the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  There were many other things shared during that conference training session that are of great importance what a blessing it was to be a part of this training.

That world wide missionary conference was the cake of the week but Sunday and Monday we were blessed to have the icing put onto that cake.  Elder Klebingat traveled to our area on Saturday night along with the mission president and his wife and the next two days were filled with addition lessons and testimonies that we were able to take "INTO" our hearts.  Sunday the three of them spoke in Sacrament Meeting and the spirit was strong.  After the three hour block they came to our house and we fed them a quick lunch.  Thanks to Aunt Karen and Sandy (two of Janet's sisters) we came up with menu that was very enjoyable.  It was a wonderful experience to have a General Authority in our home along with our wonderful Mission President and his wife.

Elder Klebingat back center And President Packer and his wife

 Fun story after deciding that we would serve soup Janet went to her sister Karen seeking for ideas of what would be good.  She first suggested artichoke soup. Well, this is Ukraine and we have never seen an artichoke.  The next one was Lobster Bisque soup- oops no lobsters here.  After several more attempts the right soups were delivered and with Janet using the Ukrainian substitution method she was able to come up with two very tasty  (вкусно) soups.
That evening they hosted a fireside and Elder Klebingat spoke for a minute and then opened up the meeting for questions.  There were many great questions and the spirit was strong.

Standing room only for the fireside

Then the best question of the night was asked by a 10 year old boy, who happens to be the son of our CES area director.  He raised his hand and asked what should I do if I do something wrong and I don't want to tell my mother because that will make it worse.  She would be mad and disappointed in me plus it might hurt her feelings.  Wouldn't it be best to just keep it to myself. Out of the mouths of babes comes the question of everlasting significance.

This young mans question blessed all of our lives

The discussion was lively as the question was echoed around the room.  But as Elder Klebingat brought the boy to the front of the room and placed his hands gently on his shoulders and talked of how we all make mistakes and yes, it will disappoint our eternal parent but that He understood when He sent us here we would make mistakes and that is why he sent His Son so that those things could be overcome. Just as this little boys mother loves him with all her heart, that is not even the beginning of the love our Eternal Father has for each of His children. He too will put His loving hands on our shoulders and tenderly let us know that He loves us. That was a wonderful bit of frosting on our cake.
The next day was our zone conference where we were taught the entire day by this wonderful servant of God.  What a great day to sit in council with him and enjoy insights into the Plan of Salvation and to feel the Holy Ghost testifying of the truthfulness of those things that were discussed.

Zone Conference lunch time

President Packers Birthday 40 years old

40 years ago when he was born I was just starting my first mission

We will be forever better for having spent time together with him and our wonderful Mission Parents the Packers.

Odessa Zone conference

Now just think if you were on a mission, it would be you telling about these blessings and me reading about them longing to be with you.  Well not to beat a dead horse but you too can experience these wonderful blessings.  Visit with your bishop and 6 months from now you too can be here with us.
We love all of you and yes, we miss you, but this is where we need to be
Love Elder and Sister Mikkelsen.

I'm so glad when Daddy come home...
Little Riley waiting for her dad to come home

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