Friday, April 13 - Yes it is Friday the 13th and everyone in this country is very superstitious.  So,  is that why I am sitting here amid all my luggage with no place to go?  Well, let's not worry about that yet.  First I must tell you how hospitable the Ukrainian people are.  Last night being our last night on Kreschatyk Street and knowing how much I would miss all the action, they threw a huge party and dedicated a new Bellagio style fountain.  The Ukrainian Band played several numbers.  Now don't go thinking this is a concert in the park in Pocatello,  this was a major event.  And  just for us, along with several other fantastic incredible numbers, the Band dressed in full uniform played ,"Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, When the Saints Go Marching In, Clementine, Down by the Riverside and Red River Valley".  Amazing.  I think I was the only one that knew the words.  Then there  was a 30 member female drum corp that performed and then Fire Dancers with fire batons and they were amazing.  Next came the fireworks and then the finale, the Kreschatyk Fountain came on with classical music.  We thought for sure we were in Las Vegas.  It was really a fun evening for our last night here.

Kyiv City Band

Got up this morning and packed up expecting to be picked up by the taxi to go to our apartment and got a call saying that the flight for the couple leaving had been canceled so I wasn't sure what I was going to do but it all got worked out and we did get moved in.

It is like we have moved to a different city.  Our apartment is really nice and it feels good to now be settled.  Our grandsons would love to be living where we are now.  I am looking out at four cranes working away building high rise apartment buildings.  One of the cranes is right across the street.  I can't even imagine the excitement if they were here.  The walk home from the metro is very interesting.  Kind of a farmer's market atmosphere and you wouldn't believe the fruit, vegetables and flowers.  The one place we avoid is the meat market where they have the beef and chicken hanging and the slabs of meat are there on the tables, unwrapped just waiting for you to pick some up.  They also have rolls of bacon, big rolls.  There is a McDonald's at every metro stop and believe me, they are the most popular restaurant anywhere.  The lines are long and they are packed no matter what time of day and the seating area is about ten times bigger than any at home and they have at least ten cashiers at all times with people lined up ten deep.  Pedestrians have no right away here and to cross most main streets you must go under the street.  Cars drive and park on the sidewalks and you never see a handicapped person.  There are no accommodations for the handicapped.  And about all of the Mexican spices I brought for Gary - could have bought them here.

Dining/ Entry Way

Living Room

Living Room to Bathroom

Bathroom/ Laundry Room

Our new bedroom

Kitchen

For now we are attending church at the Stake Center out by the temple ( a little over an hour away on the metro - and bus).  All of the couples here are meeting with the Mission President on the 25th and he is making assignments for couples to attend other branches in the mission for Sunday meetings.  Some of the branches are over five hours away by train so I'm not complaining about our present location.  The sacrifices people make here to have the gospel are much greater than the ones in America.  One thing we have learned for sure is that  God loves all people and wants them to have the blessings of the gospel in their lives.  He wants us to be happy and know the joy of all of His creations.  We are all His beloved children.  His atonement covers not only our sins but our sorrows, our disappointments, our adversity and He loves us more than we could ever know. 
As we look into the eyes of every individual in this world we must recognize that they are each as beloved as we.  They may not have the blessings that we enjoy but they have His love.  It is our job to let everyone know that. We love all of you and appreciate your love and prayers.

 Karlene and friends, Masha & Juliane from Kheschatyk Guesthouse
 
 Gary heading into work