Baptism

On Sat. the 27th we had two baptisms. This young man Sasha has been taught for quite a while. He's a very quiet young man but we are so happy for him.
Elder Rhodes did the honors this day, he Sasha and Elder Feil. They did a wonderful job.
Ulya has also been taught quite a while but she has really been determined.
After her baptism she just glowed she was so happy. Here with Elder Rhodes and Sister Yashenkova. There were quite a few people to give support and it ended up being a wonderful day. Of course, the next day they both received their confirmation. We look forward to working with both of these young people in the Branch.

Branch Party

Yes, Christmas night we had a Branch Party with both branches. Elder Moulder was Santa's helper and did a great job. We have to have all of our parties in the chapel because we don't have another room.
Check out the Santa costume. It's a little different than what we're used to seeing.
They had a play at the beginning with angels (with wings) and the devil (opposition) and shepherds and wise men. They put a lot of effort into the play.

They started the evening off with a few songs from the missionaries. We actually didn't see Santa come in or any of the rest of the program because we had another more important appointment. Most of the Elders talked to their families except Elder Imangazi who will talk to his on the 31st. I'm not sure about the Sisters. They sure are all hard working missionaries. We had a very large crowd of members and investigators that filled 3/4 of the chapel.

Christmas Day

Here come Elder Rhodes and Elder Feil to help us before our dinner. What troopers they were.

Christmas Day

Here is some pictures of Christmas day. We were sitting around just enjoying each other.
All but two of the Elders and Sisters went out to do some caroling before dinner and had a great time.
Elder Rhodes and Elder Feil came over early and helped us cut up things to get ready for our dinner.
Elder Feil taking a break and Elder Imangazi looking at a book waiting for dinner.
Yes, we did have a white Christmas. It wasn't as much as in Utah and Idaho but it was a white Christmas. All of the people that usually sweep the streets early in the morning are now shoveling the snow early in the morning.

Zone Conference at Christmas

In our Previous post you saw what we had up for decorations. Well, our landlord came and asked us where our Christmas tree was and when we showed him he went home and brought us this one, he said we needed a bigger one. He also brought the "toys" to go on it. (Which was the balls
This tree is all lit up and they just started turning them on every night all night long. It is located right out our bedroom window.
This is our Zone. It is always so good to see them all again. Some of them served here in Lviv and then was transferred but are still in our zone so we look forward to getting together. Pres. Steinagel came without his family so Elder Williams and I had dinner with him on Sat. night after he had finished interviewing the missionaries. He stayed for Sunday also and spoke in each of the branches. They all love to hear what he has to say. We are loving the Christmas Season and the opportunity to think of the birth of our Dear Savior. You can tell it even makes a difference here in Ukraine.

Chernivtsv

Elder Williams and I were talking about whether to put up Christmas decorations or not and when I was in the kitchen the other day and I walked into the living room, he had found most of these things in the cupboard and was putting them up. The snowflakes across the top with the green ribbons on are what our kids sent us for Christmas. They sent the 12 days of Christmas. They each have our kids and grandchildren on them. Our youngest daughter, Candice who is not married is hanging just below in the middle of the tinsel. There were lights from America (110 volts) also in the cubboard and we put an adapter on but they blew out so we went to the Renok and bought some more.
We went to Chernivtsv because Elder Williams had to do a Priesthood Leadership Training meeting for two Branches, one from Chernivtsv and one from Ivano Frankivsk. It went well, they're such good people. On the way home on the train which was a 7 hour ride we had a Koupa which was cold. These rooms have 4 bunks (two on each side) with only enough room between them to turn around. There is a little table to set your water and a few things on at the end under the window. I was reading a book in the dimly lit room that our Mission President had written about his first Mission in the Cook Islands, so Elder Williams put one of the mattresses against the window which really helped and with a few wool blankets it wasn't too bad. I read for about 3 hours and then gave up because there wasn't enough light.
This must be the Opera House in Chernivtsv. They even have cobblestone roads. The thing that's different about this town is that it is very hilly.
This is the Church house in Chernivtsv. The Branch President only has one counselor but he is super nice. They have 3 sets of missionaries there so I'm sure it will continue to grow.
The Hotel that we stayed in. It was quite nice. In the morning we asked where we could get something to eat and she said, "just go to the road, turn left and go down the street. Well, about three blocks later we found a pizza place so because pizza was the only thing we could read that's what we ordered. It ended up being Bar B Q pizza. Then after the meeting they wanted to feed everyone so what did they bring in? Pizza. We were glad to have it because we had to hurry and catch the train for our trip home.

E. Perry Dinner

Well, another Elder is going home. Elder Perry is sitting by me. He lives in the Salt Lake area and has been with us for several transfers. He's an awesome missionary and person. We take them out to dinner just before they leave and he chose to go to Dinamo Blues. It actually has American food and is really good. We will miss him but he will do great. He loves to hunt and fish and ski so he'll keep busy.
Here we are waiting for the bus to take us to Dinamo's, we went after District Meeting on Tue.. I often wonder what they think when 10 people get on that all have the same name tags, especially when it's completely full with 5 or so standing and only has 18 seats. We just push our way in just like everyone else does.

I thought you might want to see Lena and Sasha do their little dance and see the people that were at our party.

Branch Party

Last Sat. we had a party with the other Branch. We have to have our parties in the Chapel because there isn't room in any of the other rooms. I guess it has been dedicated for that. We had 77 people there and 19 of them were investigators. We ate Ukrainian and American food, had some dancers, a couple of skits and some entertainment. It really went well. Lena the girl in this picture is a sweet heart, she did two mini missions this summer. She is our Activity chairman. She's not married, she's 20 years old. Sasha the guy is our family history specialist. He's not married either but they did this line dance from America.
These three little boys are Pres. Malonose's boys. He is a counselor in the Mission Presidency. They also have a girl. I watch them and have to remember when we had little ones. He's on the stand all the time and she is trying to keep these kids quiet in Sacrament meeting. They don't believe in hurting their feelings or talking cross to them so they have a time.
Lena who did the dance and Elder Perry (he's going home Sunday, he's been a great missionary). Lena and Masha decorated and it was very cute, they did a good job.
This is one of the skits. When he talks he's asking if it's time yet and the one on the end says no. until it's time.

First Snow in Ukraine

We went to Lutsk a few weeks ago. It was during our first snow fall. It was pretty cold but it wasn't too bad going there. You can't see but I have boots almost up to my knees and I carry my back pack, I travel lightly because we have to walk a lot when we're there checking Missionaries apartments. Elder Williams had meetings with the Branch Presidency on Sunday and I found out about 10 min. before meeting that we had to talk in church. I asked the Elder who was translating for us how long we should take and the Pres. said that we could divide it out anyway we wanted, the talks didnt show up.

It didn't snow too much but roads weren't too good coming back. We only slid through one intersection and had to back up. The bus was completely full with people standing up 1 1/2 hours until we arrived in Lviv. We only had to walk from the bus drop off about 1 1/2 blocks to get home so it wasn't too bad. We were very blessed
At the end of the week it was looking like this. If we only have a few cold days and then gets nice again I think I can make it. This is out of our big windows from the chapel windows. This video below is what we hear all the time. I tell about it on the video.