The Natural Man

Week of June 20-26, 2016
It has been a great week it started off with a visit of a friend from Lviv.  Anastasia came to Odesa so that we could meet face to face.  We have visited with her over Messenger for most of our mission.  We traveled to the train station on Monday morning and welcomed her to Odesa.

Welcome to Odesa Anastasia

This is a location of an underground newspaper that opposed
the Nazi occupation in WWII

She has lived in Ukraine her entire life and this was her first visit to our wonderful town.  We had a fun day visiting various sites around the city and had a nice lunch together.  She came on the morning train, about a 12 hour ride, and left Monday night for a 13 hour ride back home.  We are grateful for her visit.
I was also blessed to be able to talk to all our boys and their wives in celebration of Father's Day.  We have great kids and are grateful for their love and support.  Of course we didn't talk to Jacob I've always thought that a little unfair that the moms get Mothers Day calls but Dad's are lucky to get a letter.  (actually, we are extremely lucky to get wonderful letters from Mexico) I took pictures of the missionaries at church and sent their dads a Happy Father's Day greeting from them.

A happy Father's Day picture of our Odesa Elders

This was a surprise picture we got several weeks ago

 It is always fun to get surprises like that from members.  So don't be shy about snapping a picture of a missionary in your area and sending a quick post to their parents.  It is so easy to do and blesses lives.
This week we had two major YSA activities.  Wednesday we had our FHE activity and dinner.  We cooked lots of spaghetti.  Sister Mikkelsen is always afraid that we will run out so I ate lots of spaghetti left overs.  Sunday we had some kids arrive early for a meeting, so we fed them the rest of it.  I told them they were doing me a great favor because I couldn't stare another plate of spaghetti in the face.  It wasn't too bad, I only had it like 6 times since Wednesday.

The group of spaghetti eaters

We will miss this young lady she is moving to Kyiv

We have been enjoying some very warm and humid weather here the past two weeks.  When we go out and then return to our apartment we are so happy for the Air Conditioning.  We went over to a missionary apartment this week to check on their AC because it was not working.  We tried to call the landlord and couldn't get ahold of him so I called the mission president to get permission for them to stay with us a night or two so they could sleep better.  President Packer reminded me that when we served our missions we didn't have AC. He was right I told the missionaries how we handled it in Pennsylvania we would take cold showers in our pajama's and then go to bed wet with a fan blowing on us.  After I told them that story and what president said we never did see them at our apartment and the next day the landlord came and fixed the AC. The one place that AC does not exist in this country is in the Mini buses we ride in to get from place to place.

Internet photo but this is standard occupancy level

You get the idea!

 The other day we jumped on a bus to go a couple of miles and got caught in a traffic jam after about 4 blocks we just got off and walked. It was so much cooler than sitting in a stifling bus.
Perhaps at this point I should say we are not complaining it is such a wonderful opportunity to be part of a different culture.  People who have lived here their entire life will sit on those buses and don't even break a sweat.  The rest of us are just dripping.  It is all about what we get use to.  Sister Mikkelsen has leaned how to make the best chocolate cake from scratch the people here just love it and it is far better than the box mixes in the USA.

Chocolate cake from scratch with fresh strawberries

 I told someone the other day that she will never have to buy another box mix as long as we live.  She was quick to tell me that she would would never make another scratch cake again in the good old USA.
This week we spent lots of time making callings to the young people in the area reorganizing the YSA Odesa group.  On Sunday afternoon we had all of the kids come to our home for a training.  It was wonderful to have them here and they were excited to make a difference in this area and go out and find the one.

Fireside crew we were sitting on the floor.  Ran out of chairs!

The large foam pad to relax on.

It was Pie Night!

Sister Mikkelsen makes a mean Banana Cream pie

There is much training that still needs to be done but we have a group of excited people ready to serve and that is a positive formula for success. After our training we hosted a fireside and had about 24 people in attendance. These kids are great and have positive outlook on life and will bless this country as they continue to serve.
Let me close this weeks ramblings with an experience I had yesterday at church. This is not something that is unique to this county or culture but underlines our need for Faith.  The Natural Man is an enemy to God.  I remember reading once about a hypothetical story of how a foreign country invades another country and the first thing they did after occupying the God fearing country was to go into the schools.  They told the kids that there was no God and they were going to prove it. So the person in charge told the kids to close their eyes and pray to God for candy.  After a short time no candy appeared on their desks.  Now they said again close your eyes and pray to the government for candy.  While their eyes were closed the person in charge walked around the room and put a piece of candy on each desk. They then told the class to open their eyes.

What kind of (candy) blessings make a difference for your life.

 The kids were surprised to find the candy.  Then one little girl said that she had opened her eyes and watched the lady in charge place candy on each desk.  She said that is right but who gave you the candy God or the Government?  So who can you trust to give you the things you want? We often wonder why we don't get the things we want when we pray to God and when we don't get those things, we complain that God does not love us, or he doesn't care, or even worse he does not exist.  I had a discussion with a member at church yesterday that is struggling with this concept that they need proof that God is there and that all the rules we live by are really necessary.   I went right to the scriptures about living by faith and specifically "Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  We must live by faith.  If we did not have faith, we would have no agency and we would be living under the Law of Satan.  We are so blessed to be able to trust in God and allow him to work with and through us to accomplish his grand design.  We must put off the Natural Man and allow our faith to carry us though to the great last day when we will bow before the Savior and testify that he is the Christ and that he atoned for our sins.  What a tragedy it will be for those who allow candy to be placed upon the desk of their lives by Satan who would tell you that God is not real. That day will be so sad for those that will need to confess to Christ that he lives and is real.  Live by faith and love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and your life will be blessed with much more than a piece of candy.We love you all and wish you the best week ever.Love Elder and Siste Mikkelsen
Janet's mom is struggling but the family is by her side.  What a blessing this mortal life is as we get to learn and grow in faith.

Family there supporting Grandma Petersen

How you cool off in Odesa

sharing our lunch with locals at the park

Neptune was in Odesa this week

Kick boxing match in town

Independence day celebration on Premorsky Blvd

Happy Fathers Day

Week of June 13-19, 2016

So, let me start the with the end of the week.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!! to our Grandfathers, Father's, Father's to be, Brother's and Boys.  Who could be luckier than me to have so many amazing examples of greatness and goodness and wisdom and.....

Our Father and Father's to be!
Couldn't ask for better men! Oh, how
we love them!

Shopping in Kyiv he found an old
English scout hat.

My handsome, wise,
wonderful brother, full of
strength, and faith, love for
his family.

My father, a scholar, a mentor, a
creator, and a servant of the
Lord.

My Grandfather.  A hard-
working, dedicated man
full of integrity.

This grandfather was a great example
of enthusiasm, drive, intelligence
and fun.

He loved his family
and his butter

Future Fathers in Training
Kyiv Mission conference 2016

Pretty great looking bunch if do say so myself!  If I were more techno savvy I would have made a collage of many more- Brother-in-laws, great grandfathers, next-door-neighbor fathers, home teacher fathers.....so many men who have impacted our lives for good and have helped to shape and mold us and our family.  We're still taking shape.  We were able to talk to all the boys and their wives (Jacob by mail of course) and our sweet Riley.  So glad we can talk to them whenever we need to.  They are the best!!!!!

Now, back to what's new in Ukraine!
Actually, this week we found that some things are the same the world over.  We shared time with a grieving family at a funeral for a beloved Father and Grandfather.  I don't know why we expected the services to be any different than in America.  Wonderful words were spoken, broken hearts were softened by the love shown by family and friends, visitors were fed, spiritually, and temporally with all the best the family had to offer, and life goes on with beautiful memories to bolster us and spirits to strengthen us, and so many blessings to be thankful for.

These are just internet pictures but they show how beautiful

cemeteries can be throughout Ukraine.  Family plots are fenced
and there are always flowers.   

We've never seem this many anyplace but the market but this
shows what sprays look like and they are not just at cemeteries.
you see these at memorials everywhere.

They are beautiful, peaceful places.

Since we're talking about things we know and don't know about the country,  here are a few interesting tidbits:

• To speak to a superior with one’s hands in one’s pockets or arms folded across the chest is disrespectful. (and don't shake hands in a doorway)
  
• Ukraine is one of the few areas in Europe where people eat corn-on-the-cob. (it's chewy but it has a good flavor)
  
• Ukraine is known worldwide for the delicate art of Easter egg painting, called pysanka.
  
• Leaving food on the plate after a meal is considered wasteful. Guests honor the hosts when they
  ask for second helpings. (You also don't serve yourself.  missionaries are known for eating a lot so plates are piled high!)
  
• Ukrainians always eat dessert with a spoon, not a fork.
  
• Military service is required for all Ukrainian males over the age of 18. They must serve at least 18
  months.
  
• One-third of the world’s black soils are located in Ukraine. 
  
  
  Just in case you were interested =) 
  
  
  

  

  This is the official Ukrainian Coat of Arms.  If was
  forbidden during the Soviet reign but is now seen
  everywhere.

  
  
  
  

Our YSA council is being re-organized.  Many of our members have left pursuing jobs or education.  We have to make a lot of callings this week but the new president is already at work.  She planned a great picnic at the sea.  We had a big turnout.  Two Elders gave them a message about the importance of making a study of the scriptures a part of our daily activities.  We have just finished reading the Book of Mormon in 27 days as a mission.  They bore testimony of the many miracles that happened throughout the mission during that time.  Because the time was so short, everyone was in just about the same place and daily there would be conversations about something learned or shared in lessons.  Many of our youth are struggling looking for work, dating, school, etc,  so the elders extended a challenge to them to read the book in 3 months.  They will finish just about the time institute will start up again in the fall.  Nothing but good can come from spending a few short minutes with our Father in Heaven each day in prayer and scripture study.  We're excited to see what happens.

The Black Sea

The sashliki chef!

Great teachers

and students!

Ned getting translation.  This young man will soon be learning
Scottish!

They played games too.  We had a great afternoon.

I think the rest of the week was spent out and about.  Here's a few gems.

We've lived here over 7 months now and this is
the first time we ever saw this mural on the
building just across the street.  We must always
remember to look up!

We finally found the tie shop! 

Love the churches!  They are everywhere and they are
beautiful!

Stopped by just at the right time!  Leftover
gahm-boor-gairs! (hamburgers)

Milk rise pudding for breakfast.  So good.  This is an
internet shot.  Mine was floating in milk.  I've looked for
a recipe and can't find one.  If anyone knows how to make it,
let me know.

Happy Father's Day!

Hope you are all well and happy, busy and feeling blessed.  Have a wonderful week.
Love from
the Miks

A visit by an Apostle

Week of June 6-12, 2016
This was one of those "WOW where did the week go" weeks. We love it when we are so busy we hardly have time to touch the ground!  This week the Kodyma Elders moved in with us.  They are in town for 3 days a week and then travel to their service area.  We are looking for a new apartment but until then we will have them with us.  Tuesday we had a wonderful young couple come to dinner.

This young couple just got married they brought her
nephew with them

All types of things are appearing around town
This is a Beer wagon. People ride on it and
must peddle as they tour the city 

It was a beautiful evening stroll

The sister is one of our Pathway students and so we had the opportunity to help her prepare for the lesson she taught this week.  Each of the students take turns teaching the lessons.  She did a wonderful job.  We are so proud of her.  Her language skills are growing each week.
Wednesday we had our Young Adults over for a Hamburger cook out.  They are always fun to share time with.  They certainly bless our life and help us to grow.

Hamburger time for the YSA

This is a game they play. It's theme is the American old west
but it is in Russian

 One interesting food failure.  We decided to make home made Root Beer so that we could have floats.  There is no root beer in Ukraine.  There was a bottle of extract in the cupboard leftover from the last couple. As we got ready to make the syrup we opened the bottle and nothing came out.  it was dried up.  we really wanted floats so we added and little water and heated it just a little and gave it a try.  It tasted like root beer but the extract would not dissolve in the syrup so when you poured it over the ice-cream it looked like you had pepper on your ice-cream.

Oops! don't use old Extract when making
Homemade Root Beer

The other interesting fact we found was that here in Ukraine there is a medicine that kids take when they are sick that has a flavor and smell very similar to root beer.  Root beer in Ukraine was not a big hit.
Thursday morning we were up early to catch our train to go north for our mission conference.  We got permission to make an over night stop in our first area, Vinnistya.  We arrived at about 10:30 AM, checked into our Hotel room and then spent the rest of the day with our good friend Zina visiting people.

In the country it is beautiful new swan Family

Momma and Papa Swan out on a swim 

We took a wrong bus and ended up getting a taxi to take us out to one the villages to visit with some wonderful friends.  We stopped at Igor and Olya's home and they fed us fresh strawberries they had just picked.

We love Sister Anna.  She is a hard worker

Like the song says Strawberry Fields Forever

These kids are the best and love the strawberries

Irgo has completed a lot of his project we started
last summer

 It was wonderful to spend time with them and feel their love for us and us for them.  We went and visited Rosa and her husband.  She would not allow us to leave empty handed so we got a bottle of her famous Pear cider!  It is the best.

Pear Juice Cider from Sister Rosa

 We made the trek across the village and visited with the just released branch President and got a tour of his amazing garden.  They pride themselves in what they can produce in their garden.  

President Bondranko has a great garden

What a wonderful opportunity to visit with this good man

Early dinner with Zina and the Mado Family we love these people

That night we made our way back to the hotel room in time to run our Pathway class but there was no connectivity in our room so we had to do our class in the lobby of the hotel.  I think it might be the first time they had church hymns in the lobby along with opening and closing prayers.  While we were teaching our class our good friend Yuri came over and spent the evening with us.  He was very interested in our class and how it worked.  He is also a teacher of advanced mathematics in Vinnistya.  After class we had a nice dinner with him.
Friday we were on the train to Kyiv very early in the morning.  We grabbed a taxi when we arrived.  I showed the driver a map on the iPad of where we wanted to go.  He said OK and off we went.  He drove around town for a few minutes and pulled up to a place and said this is it.  I said net net net and showed him the map again.  He said it was very far and I said yes but he took us out there and we arrived at our hotel in plenty of time to get to the Packers house.  We were asked to help them get the dinner ready for the 6 general authorities and their wives.

Sister Packer has everything ready for 6 General Authorities
and their wives

You can imagine that that creates a lot of stress.  Sister Packer had thought of everything and things came together very well.  That afternoon at 2 we had a mission conference.  Every missionary in the mission was there.  It was the first time since the Packers have been here that all the missionaries were all together in one place.  It was a wonderful experience.

Every Kyiv Ukraine missionary prepared to learn from an apostle

The talks by the brethren were wonderful and the missionaries knew that they had a great work to do.  Sister Mikkelsen and I had to leave just as Elder Ballard was getting ready to speak.  We went over to the house to get everything warmed up and out on the table so that they could eat as soon as they arrived.

The Packer family ready to host at the dinner

Funny story.  As the conference ended it had been threatening to rain all day. Well as soon as the closing prayer was said the clouds opened up and in a matter of 5 minutes the streets were rivers.  As Elder Ballard arrived at the Packer home it was slowing down just a little and as he walked into the house I was standing by the front door.  As he shook my hand he said well I guess our missionaries just got re-baptized.  I quipped, well at least sprinkled, at that moment the clouds opened up again and I said, you're right. this looks like a total immersion.

Internet photo it was not quite this bad of a rain storm but you
get the idea

 Elder Ballard was kind enough to laugh.  But I personally thought it funny.  Two of the other senior couples met us at a local restaurant for dinner and we had a nice evening.

The Mitchell's and the Palochet's eating dinner at Eddies

Saturday we had a large priesthood and auxiliary training meeting.  It was four hours long with a lunch in the middle.  What a blessing to be taught at the feet of six general authorities and one of them being an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We have truly been blessed by the opportunity to be here for this momentous occasion.

The new Branch President and his 1st Councilor in Vinnistya

Priesthood training session brethren lining up to shake hands
with the general authorities

President Bevzok from Vinnistya he was the man that started
The Vinnistya Branch many years ago

Sisters at the axillary training

Sunday was another blessed day as we got to attend Stake conference and also a YSA Fireside all of which were presided by Elder Ballard.  It is a wonder how an 87 year old man can keep the schedule that he does.  It brings meaning to the scripture in D&C 84:33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining of these two Priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying of their callings, are sanctified by the spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.  That is certainly evident in this situation.  Any other person would never be able to keep the schedule he keeps without that promise.  And after sitting at his feet these last three days, I can testify that he is magnifying his calling.

This is an Internet photo we were asked not to photograph
Elder Ballard but this gives you a feel for his love

Another Internet photo but he showed this same excited
look the entire time of all of our meetings what a wonder
man

I took 11 pages of notes in the last few days and will not try to express all the things we were taught. But I will leave you with one impression I truly felt as we participated with Elder Ballard these last few days.  I can witness unto you that he was called of God 35 years ago to go through out the world and testify of Jesus Christ as a special witness.  I have no doubt that he is as much of an apostle as Peter, James, or John.  He holds all of the keys to the fulness of the gospel and if the Lord sees fit to make him Prophet he could then exercise all of those keys that President Monson holds and exercises today.  The gospel is true and missionary work is the work of God and bringing the light of the gospel to the world is His and our job.  What a blessing it is to be a part of this great work.

Some random shots from around Kyiv I couldn't pass this
one up.  

This is the Golden Gate last standing part of
the wall that used to surround Kyiv.  We have
served with all of these elders in Odesa now they
are in Kyiv

We went to the Botanical Gardens in Kyiv between conference
sessions

 We would invite all of you to do what you can to move the work forward by sharing your testimony, time, talents, or anything else that you have been blessed with. Have a wonderful week and may you be blessed as you serve in the kingdom of God
All of our Love Elder and Sister Mikkelsen

These are more sites around Kyiv

Old and the new. This type of thing is seen
all the time around Ukraine