COLLEGE, WEDDINGS, AND BABIES

The last year as the missionaries we served in Ukraine with arrived back in the USA they have been busy with College, Careers, Marriage and a few have even started their families.

Brad Pearson and Michelle Chidester both served with us in Ukraine. They got together after the mission and were soon married. Now they are expecting their first baby. We're so happy for them.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR FRIENDS WHO WERE MARRIED THIS PAST YEAR

Daniel Condie and his wife Whitney

Frederick Benson and his wife Jill

Jonathan Karren and his wife Tawna

Clark Harris and his bride Autumn

Travis Hunt and his wife Leanna

Sister Helelyan and her husband Ashot Symonyan

Austin Andrus is engaged to Mckenzie

Sam Crossley and his wife Shawnee

Joshua Gywnn and his wife Tricia

NEW MISSIONARIES HAVE ARRIVED STRAIGHT FROM THE MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTER

Sister Ward and Sister Fry


Elders Nersisyan, and Hess

Elder Young with Elder Norman

Elder Norman is an Assistant to the President

Elder Dietrich, Sister Ward, Elder Young, Elder Hess, and Elder Nersisyan

A few hours after they arrived President Fry took the new Missionaries, The AP's, and the Hewlett's, the Doxey's and the Kinghorn's out to eat at "The Three Fat Guys".

NEW MISSIONARIES HAVE ARRIVED

These are the new missionaries who arrived from the Missionary Training Center this week. Elders Rosen,Jones, Duffy, and Howard
(not necessarily in that order) I'm sorry but I only remember which one is Elder Rosen because his mom had commented on the blog a few weeks ago, so I have been waiting to meet him. I will have a chance to get to know them better in the next few months, however, none of them are in our District.

Elder Crossley was replaced by Elder Johnson who came here from Makeyevka. We will also have Sister Jadamba in our District serving with Sister Chiriac.

I almost forgot to say, the new missionaries have arrived. Elders Duffy, Howard, Jones, and Rosen are here. We went to the office today and found four eager new missionaries and all of their luggage. They were visiting and sending e-mails home to tell their families they arrived safely. Then Elder Andrus (one of the assistants to te President) was helping them find some coats to wear because they were on their way to the Reenik and it is cold outside. Our daughter says it is still very warm in California however, it has been cold enough for hats, gloves, scarves and coats here. Sister Fry will probably be posting pictures and profiles about the new missionaries here. I just didn't think to take a picture. I will take some tomorrow at transfer day.

TALENTS

We have some very talented missionaries in our district.

Hey, sometimes ya just gotta have a little fun!!!!!!

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

We celebrated Elder Harris's birthday this week. Well he isn't actually in our District but he use to be and he is going home in a few weeks so we invited him to join us for dinner. We will miss him when he goes home. His family has moved to Hawaii since he left for his mission so I guess he will be spending some time in Hawaii when he gets home. Poor guy. Happy Birthday Friend.

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY

THIS IS WHAT WE SAW ON OUR WAY TO KHARKOV

My mind is racing with so many things I want to share with you.
I love these missionaries..........one minute they have me laughing, and the next minute I can't seem to stop the tears.
I had no idea I would come to love them so deeply.

We just attended Zone Conference in Kharkov with President and Sister Fry. We spent almost all day listening to talks and presentations by the missionaries and President Fry. Once again, as I sat in the Chapel and listened to them sing beautiful hymns in Russian my spirit was so moved that I couldn't hold back the tears. I found myself filled with gratitude that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with these sweet tender moments when I feel my Savior's love for me and for all of his servants. We finished the conference with a testimony meeting. The missionaries who are finishing their missions and going home soon bore their testimonies first. As Elder Burrop stood to speak I couldn't hold back the tears. I can not tell you what it has been like to be a part of their mission experience. My mind was flooded with memories of Elder Burrop. He was an office Elder when we arrived and he was such a support to us. He was always just a phone call away. I got a treasured Dear Elder Letter today from one of the Missionaries moms, Sister Hulet. She wanted to tell me how much she has enjoyed reading our blog and learning about Ukraine. She concluded with,

" Your blog has made me think that maybe I could leave home, kids, job, and serve the Lord."

Oh Sister Hulet, you can't even imagine how the Lord will bless you.

Some days I do miss my children a lot but last week during General Conference I got to sit in a room filled with young men and women who have dedicated two years of their lives to serve their Heavenly Father as they were taught by a Prophet of God. The moment we all stood to sing and their voices joined together in perfect Russian I felt my heart swell. I was filled with gratitude for this wonderful opportunity. A few days later I found myself sitting in our little Ukrainian apartment celebrating Elder Crossley's birthday with a birthday cake and balloons. This week when we were in Kharkov we were sitting in a little classroom of the church building watching missionaries get haircuts by Sister Fry. As we sat and visited with the missionaries one of the Elders began to share a tender story of the many miracles that are happening for his family as he is serving a mission. We hadn't had a chance to get to know this young man before this day and here he was sharing a very personal story with us. I am so honored to be here. Later the next day as he bore his testimony he mentioned the previous days experience of sharing that moment with us. I think it was definitely a special moment for all of us.

While we were in Kharkov we were reunited with missionaries that we haven't seen for awhile like Elder Hammond who we spent our first Ukrainian Christmas with. We have cherished memories of Christmas Caroling and decorating sugar cookies. He tells us every time we see him that he misses us and loves us. We got to see Elder Woodhead, and Elder Whitehead. I told them both I would send pictures to their moms who have become my blogging friends. We got to see Elder Summerhays and Sister Ellison who use to be in our District.
I am so grateful for all of these wonderful blessings in addition to being able to do Humanitarian Work here. I was thinking as we taught the Missionaries about how to teach Family Home Evening how grateful I am to be a part of this great work. The missionaries are going to use a new Family Enrichment manual to teach families how to have Family Home Evening and to then invite a non-member family over for Family Home Evening. We have been able to participate in training government employees, like Social Workers, Educators, Psychologist and Foster Care Workers who work with families how to have stronger families. This has been such a rewarding experience. I had previously been so discouraged about the numbers of children that are being raised in institutions and with these trainings there is some hope. I can see that if the government continues to focus on "Strengthening Families" there really is a possibility for change. We have found so much joy in the Humanitarian Aide that we are able to offer here in Ukraine. There are not words to express the feelings I have about being able to be in this Country when the Church so new. We have been to branches with as few as 15 members and as many as 60 members in attendance. The branches are so small that some days there aren't any children at all. We have come to know the sacrifices the members here make to get to church on Sundays. I have so much respect for them. So many times as I sit in Sacrament meetings I am overwhelmed with the strength of the testimonies of the Saints here in Ukraine. I know that the Lord knows his sheep. These are some of his choicest servants. I love them so much. Last week it was so sweet one of the older ladies came up to kiss me as she does every week and she ended up kissing me right on the mouth. It was so sweet. Then she touched her heart and said the word "love" in Russian. There are 3 young women, Nastia, Marina, and Anya who come up to say hello every Sunday and they are so sweet they always tell me in broken English, "you are very beautiful". Now when you are a 50 year old woman that is quite a compliment. I love these girls. We can't speak the same language but there is definitely a special feeling that we have for one another. I am amazed that the Language of Love is universal.
My dear friends at home who are considering serving a mission. Please do not put it off. Our mission has been filled with wonderful moments like these. I had no idea ................
It is so true, your family can live without you. The Lord really will bless you and your family if you are willing to serve him. The mission field really does need you.

I love being a missionary.........

MISSIONARY APARTMENTS

Now that you have seen what our apartment looks like I think I need to clarify one thing. This is definitely not the type of apartment the younger missionaries live in. I am assuming most of you parents who read my blog are curious about what your son or daughters apartment looks like. So I have put together a few pictures for you. First of all you should know, the Senior Couples pay for their own housing. We needed a two bedroom apartment because we use our apartment as our office. We were fortunate enough to find a newly renovated apartment. So we have all new wall coverings, kitchen appliances, floor coverings and furniture. This is not the case with the younger missionaries apartments. The missionaries apartment cost half as much as our apartment. You will see from the photos that they have older furniture and appliances. Sometimes very old appliances. They are lucky to have microwave ovens. Sister Lee tells me that the missionaries in Kieve do not have microwaves. The people who own the apartments are suppose to supply them with dishes, bedding, utensils, and other basic necessities. They just have their own ideas about what basic necessities are. Most of the apartments have wall radiators for heat which doesn't get turned on until October 15th. You will notice some of the bedrooms have fans, that is because there are no air conditioners. The mission home has one, and our apartment has a small one in the living room, and I think the Clark's do too. Some apartments come with washing machines but no dryers. We all hang our clothes to dry. The mission home has a dryer but it takes forever to dry so Sister Fry usually just hangs her clothes on a rack like the rest of us. Most of the bathtubs do not have shower curtains. You can't even buy one because there are no rods in the bathrooms. You usually have to sit in the tub with a hand held shower head. It can be a bit messy. Most of the missionaries are use to facets that leak, light switches that have burned out, water that randomly gets shut off for a few days or a week at a time, windows with no screens, and double locks on their doors. The landlords often leave very interesting nic nacs in the open shelves in the living rooms. They almost always have a display of shot glasses or cocktail glasses and some very interesting glass sculptures. The wallpaper and floor coverings look nothing like they are use to seeing at home. We all have water filters in our apartments and when we do apartment inspections we make sure they are changing the filters according to the schedule that they have posted in their kitchens. In general they do a good job keeping their apartments clean. A few times we have had to ask them to get rid of some of the old clothing and nic nacs that have been left behind from missionaries who have gone home. Speaking of things left behind, I want to thank Elder Kovean if you are reading this we inherited your crock pot and I use it almost every week for District Meetings. So thanks so much and tell your mom thanks.

One day when we did apartment inspections I noticed a few of the missionaries didn't have drinking glasses and when I asked why they didn't tell us they said,"we just thought it was part of the missionary experience". They had been drinking out of jars. They are really good sports about most of the inconveniences they have to deal with here. They just see it all as part of the adventure. I am so grateful for this adventure and the wonderful young missionaries we serve with. Those of you who have left us we think of you often and miss you. Wow I just realized you will be at your mission reunion tonight. Have fun. We love you and miss you.

Love, Elder and Sister Kinghorn

SIGN BOARDING AT THE KALININSKY BUILDING

I love this. This is Elder Oldroyd in front on the new Kalinsky Building this is called Signboarding. Way to go Elders.

MORE GOODBYE'S

Last night was Elders Permenter and Elder Livingstons last night in Ukraine. Their last night as missionaries. This handsome picture is Elder Livingston and Elder Harris. We have some great memories of times we have had with Elder Livingston. One of them was when he and about 5 Elders all came to a SWAN LAKE performance in these matching brown pin striped suits.

We were invited to join the Elders, which included Elder Livingston for a p-day and go to a Soccer game we all went to Slavajorsk together. Elder Livingston and some of the other Elders helped us move to our new apartment and then we all celebrated his birthday at Mcdonalds. About 8 missionaries and Elder Kinghorn and I in the birthday party room with Elder Livingston sitting on the throne. Probably what I will remember most is his ability to have fun. The last 2 Zone Conferences he managed to be quite entertaining...

and I don't mean singing or playing the piano.



This is us having dinner with Elders Permenter and Andrus at "3 fat guys"
(I know it's weird but that is the name of the restaurant).

It wasn't easy saying goodbye to Elder Permenter. We have had so many fun experiences with him. He use to be in our District. Then he became AP. He has been the Assistant to the Mission President along with Elder Andrus. He has also been a very powerful influence in our Interpreter Olga's life. He is from Tennessee and is a convert to the church. He has been a good friend to Olga and he and Elder Andrus have been teaching her about the church. Elder Permenter was such a great example of working until the very end of your mission. He never let the fire burn out. He was so happy to be a missionary and the share the Gospel. We will miss him so much.

WE WILL MISS THESE TWO ELDERS LOOK OUT BYU HERE THEY COME!!

NEW MISSIONARIES HAVE ARRIVED

This is all the new Elders that arrived last night. We are looking forward to getting to know them.

GOING BACK TO AMERICA

Well Elders Gooch and Bassett are going back to America tomorrow. I can't imagine what is going through their minds as they spend their last night here in Ukraine. They each got to go back to the first area they served in this weekend to say goodbye to families there. I am sure they are looking forward to being with their own families again but I also know that they will miss the friends they have made here as well as miss being a representative of Jesus Christ here in Ukraine. We had District Meeting at our house today and they stopped by to say "good-bye". We will miss them. They are both wonderful young men.

DISTRICT MEETINGS

Elders Hunt, Oldroyd, Kinghorn, Summerhays, and Bassett

Wehad just finished our District Meeting. Elder Hunt and Elder Sumerhays are the two young men who had given first aide to the man I spoke about in my blog entry on Human Kindness. I love these young men they are so awesome. We meet as a district once a week and do planning and study together. We study the Preach My Gospel Book, the Book of Mormon, we have a Russian Language lesson, a spiritual thought and scripture. We plan the activities for the week; including service opportunities, English classes, and youth night. We discuss ways to strengthen the members in our branch and support one another. It is a great way to start the week. With scripture, prayer, singing hymns, and some study time. We are so grateful to be included in this special time. It helps strengthen our relationships with the missionaries.

TRANSFER DAY

It is hard to believe it is Transfer Day again. This was President Andersen's last transfer. We met at the Center Branch and President and Sister Andersen each gave some last words to all of the missionaries. It has been a hard week for President and Sister Andersen they started saying
good-bye last week in Kharkov when they had to tell all the Kharkov missionaries goodbye. They have had firesides in Kharkov and Donetsk to say goodbye to the members. They have been trying to pack and ship things home and get their Ukraine home ready for the new Mission President who will be arriving Sunday night. Tomorrow is the Andersen's last Sunday in Donetsk.
None of us can imagine the mission without them. We will miss them.
We finished our transfer meeting with a nice lunch and then everyone was on their way. As you can see the marshruka was waiting to take some of our favorite Donetsk Elders and Sister Ellison to Kharkov. We will miss Sister Ellison. Sister Howard is serving in Donetsk now and will be part of our District.

TRANSFER DAY GOOD-BYE'S

TRANSFER DAY AT DONETSK CENTER

DEPARTING MISSIONARIES

Elder Koeven, Elder Perkins, Elder Sorenson, Elder Withers, Elder Pearson, Elder Hunter and Sister Semenisheva

When I look at the faces of all of these missionaries I am reminded of how much I have learned from them and how each one of them have left a mark here on Ukraine. They have touched the members with their love and devotion to the Savior. They have been tremendous examples to us all. We will miss them. Good-bye to Sister Godfrey as well. She loved her mission so much that she extended her mission as well as did Sister Semenisheva. She left a few days before this picture. Good-bye to Sister Godfrey we will miss you.

ZONE CONFERENCE

Today was the last Zone Conference for Sister Semenisheva, Elder Sorensen, Elder Pearson, and Elder Koeven. It was also the last Zone Conference for the President and Sister Andersen to speak to the missionaries. It was another emotional day. I will have to write more later.

It's always hard to say good-bye

Elders Pearson, Harris, Livingston, Andrus, and Crossley
It's transfer day which means these missionaries are being transferred out of our area
We'll miss them.

ANOTHER TRANSFER DAY

This is Elder Crawford and Elder Pearson

This week we said good-bye to Elder Crawford. He went back to America. Elder Harris leaves for Kharkov. We have known Elder Harris since last December when we all went Christmas Caroling. Both of these young men have been such great examples. Both of them translated for me on Sunday's so that I could know what was going on during Sacrament Meeting and Sunday school. They were in our district so they were in our home once a week for District meeting. I just want to say, their mothers should be proud of them. Bruce gave Elder Crawford a big hug for me. It's hard to say good-bye. We talked about all the interesting experiences we have shared and how hard it will be to go home and try to tell people about it. It's amazing to think of where they are in their lives. When they get home they have so many decisions to make. Decisions that will affect their entire future. As the day approaches for them to board the plane for America you can see the reality of it setting in. I had a moment to sit and talk with two Elders this week after District meeting about their feelings about their missions and how they feel about going home. It was one of those moments that I was filled with gratitude to have been blessed to be a part of their journey. The most amazing thing is that they will always know that Heavenly Father will be there guiding them as they make these important decisions in their lives. I have been so impressed by the strength of their testimonies. These young men have taught me so much, and been such great examples to me. I am so thankful to be serving with them.