Looking back on the week it looks like a pretty скучно- boring, but then looking back again, it was a great example of a different side of senior missionary work.
We get to work with the missionaries quite a bit. Here are some of our normal run-ins with them.
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| I guess this one is not a regular occurrence but, it was a sweet one. We had an Elder, recovering from a hospital stay, with us for a few days. We received a Christmas package from the family of an Elder we worked with in Vinnitsya, who was this Elder's MTC companion. So Fun! |
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| Ned took pictures of these wonderful young men as they were out contacting on the street. |
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| This is proof that you don't need a blender- or even a mixer to make German Pancakes. Our recover-ee elder made this for breakfast one morning. YUM! |
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| Most every Tuesday we have District Meeting. It usually lasts about an hour. The District Leader, an Elder, and if you are lucky enough to have one, a Sister Trainer Leader, will give instruction, motivation, challenges, etc. Others will teach on assigned topics. These youth are amazing! |
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| Only half the apartments in the zone have an oven so most cooking is done on the stovetop, in the microwave, or one set of Elders have only a chinet-or hot pot to work with. The sisters promised a treat to their English class so- thanks to Elder Porter, we shared the recipe for no-bake cookies. They were so excited! Not every area offers an English practice. They only teach it in areas where there is an interest. |
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| This is a picture of our current zone- at least most of them. Normally we have Zone Meetings once per transfer, which is 6 weeks, and is run by the Zone Leaders and is quite like a District Meeting. Zone Conference happens, usually, every three months and is run by the President. |
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| These are pictures of a Relief Society activity on Saturday. Our sweet sister missionaries couldn't quite translate exactly what they were going to do. We went knowing they were going to make gifts, and we were supposed to bring something- maybe some kind of fabric. Later we learned we could bring needles, thread, and still no quite sure -maybe some kind of fabric. They ALWAYS start with a spiritual thought- at ANY activity. (we should take a lesson) Not sure what this one was about but they were all very interested! |
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| Then we went in the other room and as they set up and decided how to begin, I could tell they were going to make hot pads. |
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| They started cutting. Cute fabric on one table and not so cute on the other, but no batting. Then I saw that they were just going to put several layers of not so cute in between the cute. |
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| Ned had a pair of jeans covered in paint that he offered for filler. (we live close enough to run home) One sister said they were lucky his jeans were so big =) |
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| Only one sewing machine and not much time so- they decided to finish next Saturday. |
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| Most of them will be heart shaped. The rounds were finished first. |
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| Along with the spiritual thought, there is always yummy food. |
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| Olivye salad, chicken wings, Ukrainian sandwiches, and apple strudel. So good! We also got to taste our first compote made from smoked/dried fruit. Interesting! I think I liked it best warm with no sugar. |
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| This is a screenshot showing how we taught a training we were asked to teach on self reliance in one of the branches this week. Ned, using his amazing technology skills, created a powerpoint. The screen shows in Russian and below it tells us what the screen says and adds our notes of things we can add to the discussion- through our wonderful translators. Translators always make things sound better and they put thoughts into words the people can relate to- they add the needed cultural aspects. So- show a picture, say please read this, ask a question and there you go! |
I read the most interesting article a few weeks ago. It was called "Tracing the Dispersion" (Feb 1994 Ensign. Here's a link if you're interested, https://www.lds.org/ensign/1994/02/tracing-the-dispersion?lang=eng) This is just a short paragraph from that article.
I thought this was fascinating. When you look at a map, one of the first countries they would have come through is Ukraine. We have met many people who have been able to trace their lineage through one of those tribes.
Let me end by saying how grateful I am to have this opportunity to be in Ukraine. I can't say I've learned anything till I get home and find out if I will approach my daily life any differently than before but through all these meetings and all these wonderful people we meet, we are being exposed to the stuff that life should be all about. This week we were taught:
from Ananias (Acts 5) that we need to willingly give our all.
We learned that what we say and do is nothing more than a reflection of our conversations with the Savior.
The most important talent to develop is spirituality.
Don't be afraid! "Perfect love casteth out all fear (Moroni 8:16)
Obedience is a foundation cornerstone in our lives. Disobedience cracks that cornerstone.
If you want to do something, you will do it no matter what. If not, you will make up excuses making it OK not to do it. So, quit making excuses! Just get er done! (and do it with a smile!)
And from a Christmas gift sent by my sister, I was taught of our Savior's atonement. I am so grateful to know that I am loved, unconditionally. That if I give my all, holding nothing back, and then have faith and trust in His ability and desire to do for me what I cannot do for myself, He will make up for my lack, and through it all, I will learn and grow and just keep getting blessed because of that love.
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| Special Thanks to Juile Perkins for giving us this calendar before we left last year. Ned couldn't part with it so he printed new pages and pasted them on the old calendar. |
love
the Mik's
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