April 28, 2012

April 28 – Wow!  Kyiv is just like Pocatello in that it went from winter to summer in one week.  It is 80 degrees and that seems hot all of a sudden.  It is kind of interesting that most people were still wearing their winter coats when it was 65 and the little grandmas (babuskas) will tell you to get a coat on if it is less than 60.  They mother everyone they see.

This week we had an exciting outing.  One of the attorneys that Gary uses for legal work was having a fifteen year anniversary of the opening of their office.  As one of their clients we got invited.  It was a black tie affair and Gary’s tuxedo was not one of the things we made room to bring.  (Now if we had left home all the Mexican spices that we haven’t needed we could have probably found room.)  Anyway, we duded up as much as possible and headed out to the Hyatt.  We didn’t take the marshrutka since it would have looked a little tacky getting out of the bus and walking down the red carpet that was at the entry.  It was some big deal and boy was the food ever good.  Gary was a little embarrassed that I kept filling my plate, but you all know that I’m not proud when it comes to good food.  The entertainment was also great.  They had brought in an amazing String Quartet (see photo) and then a really famous entertainer in the Ukraine.  (another photo).   And the rich were there in full force.  Of course we were the only Americans and no one much talked to us except our attorneys but I sure enjoyed the food and right now I’d give anything for some more of that salmon. 

I had an interesting experience on the metro on the way home from the temple.  A little Babuska sat down next to me with a shoe box full of baby ducks.  Twelve to be exact.  They were so adorable.  One thing I forgot to mention about the metro and that is that no one ever litters in the trains or in the stations.  They are always really free from litter.  Of course no one ever eats in the metro trains either.  Lately I have seen people carrying home tree starts that are big tree starts (5-8 feet).  That is kind of funny, too.

May 1^st is a holiday in Ukraine.  This is kind of an interesting twist.  Since May 1^st is Tuesday, everyone is working today (Saturday) and then taking Monday off and of course also Wednesday, so this is a big four day holiday coming up.  We have had mail delivered twice since we have been here and both times on Saturday.  The first time it was the power bill and today I actually got two letters from friends in US.  They had both been mailed on April 9^th.  I was so surprised to get them.  I think they only deliver in our area on Saturday.

Gary is dealing with some very interesting legal issues.  The laws here are so different from anywhere else you can imagine.   Most of them deal with real estate holdings and the intensive involvement of the government .  The government owns all of the land and you may own the building but you rent the land from state. (It is about like renting from Mildred at the trailer court – if Mildred doesn’t like your trailer she will make things tough on you.)

It has been so fun getting e-mails from so many of you and we appreciate your taking time to keep us informed about home.  We have adjusted well here and each day learn more about life and living from the Ukrainian people.  The temple patrons are incredible.  You never hear anything above a whisper, anywhere in the temple (except maybe the baptisimal area).  Most of the people that come to the temple are from outside of Kyiv.  They wait for their branch's assigned week for temple work and then they take their whole year's vacation to travel on not so good roads for a long time (5-40 hours) to do temple work.   Most all of them  bring names of their ancestors.  They do a session, then do the sealings, then the initiatory, etc.  all day every day for a week.  When they enter the Celestial Room they immediately sit down and pray and I mean fervently pray.  The Celestial Room is not a place to socialize.  I am learning more about my commitment to the temple and that the real purpose of going there is to ponder and pray and feel the spirit and learn of the great plan of salvation.  I will never take the importance of temple work for granted again.  I love what I am learning here.  We love and miss you all.  

 The String Quartet

 Gary and Karlene all duded up at the black tie affair

 Famous Ukrainian entertainer

 The black tie affair

 Inside the National Opera House

 National Opera House

National Opera House

April 24, 2012

The sun is shining, the trees are blossoming and we are happy to be in Kyiv doing the Lord's work.  Several people have inquired about what I am doing in Kyiv.  It probably sounds like I am on a sight-seeing mission and believe me there are a lot of sights to see but I will tell you a little of what I do.  I go into Gary's office a few days a week and do what I vowed 40 years ago I would never do again - work as his legal secretary.  It is really interesting though.  I get to go with him to meet with the Ukrainean attorneys and take notes while they discuss the cases they are working on.  On Monday and Wednesday we have Russian lessons from a lady that is a PHD in linguistics.  She is very strict about our pronunciations.  Honestly, I feel like Eliza Doolittle most of the time.  

Last week I went to the temple on Friday and I am going one or two days a week depending on my schedule.  It takes two hours to get to the temple but I am still hoping to be able to get there early enough to do the morning shift.  The metro doesn't start until 6:00 AM and I would have to get there by 7:00.  I know it will all work out.  For now Gary and I are in the International Branch and the Branch President wants to meet with us Sunday so we may have callings in the branch.  I can tell that visiting teaching is going to be a week long endeavor of love as  the members of the Branch are spread all over the city.   I have also been spending a lot of time doing indexing which I love to do.  

Today I am having a friend and her mother over for lunch and who knows, I may be able to invite the missionaries over to teach them before long.  We had Stake Conference last Sunday and it was wonderful.  We had headsets for the translation and could really  feel the spirit of the messages.  The members here have such strong testimonies of the Savior and his teachings and really study their scriptures relating what they learn to their lives.  Every Monday morning they have a devotional at Gary's office and it is always great.  The person that gives the spiritual message prepares as if they were giving a talk in General Conference and their messages are very thought provoking.  I have learned so much from these people already.

Last Saturday we helped with the Baptisms at the Temple and that was also a wonderful experience.  I was looking forward to going to help with the Young Adult Conference in Odessa this Fri - Sunday but Gary had some things come up so we won't be able to go.  I'm sure we will have other opportunities to get out of Kyiv and see the countryside and meet the people there.  Gary is doing his usual super job as a legal counsel and is really enjoying this opportunity.  My last words for this blog....don't take your wonderful opportunities and the simple things in life for granted.  Also more importantly, know that the Atonement is real and is available every minute of the day and that the Lord hears and answers all prayers.  

Stake Conference in the Government Tax Auditorium (700 attended)

St. Michael's Cathedral

St. Andrew's church-opposite St. Sophia's Cathedral

Happy 66th Birthday, Gary!

April 23, 2012

Just some more pictures of and around Kyiv...

 Cranes just outside our window

 The old and the new

St. Vladimir University (or "Red University") across the University Square from Gary's office

April 18, 2012

We are so blessed.  We live in the very heart of Kyiv.  It could be compared to living in the heart of Boston history or Philadelphia history or even Salt Lake history, however this history began way before that, as long ago as 980 A.D.  when Prince (now Saint) Vladimir began his reign and brought Christianity to Kiev.  It was here that he had built the “Tithe Church” where he gave ten percent of his income and where he and his Byzantine wife Anna are buried.  There are five historical regions in the center of Kyiv and over the next few months (when the weather improves) I will photo document  these historical places for you.  But today it is very cold and rainy and so I will work on summarizing Gary’s files and indexing (which is genealogical work that I really enjoy doing and which all of you can do from your home computers – www. familysearch.org.) 

Things to appreciate in America: hot running water in your kitchen, thermostats, traffic laws.  Why I say traffic laws – the people here drive like mad men.  They drive 80 mph on a normal downtown street,  driving on the sidewalk is allowed as is parking on sidewalks and pedestrians have no right of way,  and there are no penalties for infractions.  It is amazing that I have not seen even one accident.  I was told that if there is an accident the person driving the nicest car is always in the right. (bribes)  Sometimes with all of the cars parking on the sidewalks you have to walk around them into the street and then watch out – you are taking your life in your own hands.  Oh, by the way there is usually a least one policeman standing in every block watching life go by.  You hardly ever see a police car.

Kyiv is being rebuilt.  As I look out my front window I can see at least seven cranes all working on multi-story  modern buildings.  It is very interesting to see a mixture of the old and the new. Before we came here we heard that there were 3 million people here but the real population is over 5 million according to the locals.  I believe the latter.  There are over a million people a day that ride the metro.  One thing I forgot to mention about the metro is that each metro station has a different décor.  Some are marble and very gothic, some are mosaic and very historical, some are decorated with a lot of statuary and the newer ones are also marble and very beautiful.  There is a surprise at the end of every long escalator ride.

Monday, Gary and I did some exploring with the bus system that goes right by our apartment.  Since Monday was a holiday it was a good day to try out the busses as they were not crowded.  The sites were beautiful and that is how I learned about all of the wonderful areas we have to explore on Saturdays. 

 

Gary is traveling to Donetsk  today.  I am going to International Women’s Club of Kyiv humanitarian project and tomorrow it is Stake Temple Day so I will be going to the temple for the first time.  It is out by where we go to church.  This weekend is stake conference and we will be doing baptisms for the dead on Saturday morning.  Then in two weeks I signed us up to clean the church.  (Starting to sound a little like home?? It is, in so many ways.)  

My thought for today:   As I have been studying the scriptures I have found over and over the pattern used by many to gain a testimony.  1.  Desire to know, study to learn, live to merit and pray to receive.  If you look for this pattern as you read scriptures and especially the Book of Mormon you will find it repeated over and over.  As you follow this pattern your testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will grow.  We love you all.  

April 13, 2012

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

April 9, 2012

Our first week here was concluded with a wonderful  lunch at a unique Ukranian restaurant in the park between Gary's office and Red University.  After lunch we walked to the National Opera House, found that the ballet Gizelle was being preformed that evening and we were able to get tickets for $5.00 each.  It was an outstanding performance accompanied by a full orchestra.  The opera house is reputedly the second most ornate and beautiful in Europe.  On Sunday we attended church in our branch out by the Kyiv Temple.  We met a cousin of Karlene's and her husband who are serving a temple mission here and it was a surprise reunion.  That evening we went back to the Church for a traditional Ukranian  Palm Sunday musical program  a lot of the same performers that performed for President Monson when he was here for the temple dedication.  As we look back on our first week here it was filled with new sights and an education into what Ukraine is really like rather than some of the myths we had heard before we got here.  Gary has been working very long hours learning about all of the cases and issues he will be dealing with on his own beginning this Thursday.  We have enjoyed our week in the center of town but are looking forward to moving into our apartment on Friday morning. 


At the Palm Sunday Program on Sunday we were sitting next to the Temple President, Pres. Galbraith and as he was looking around at all the people in the room watching and participating in the program he said to me, "Twenty years ago not one of these people knew of the gospel of Jesus Christ". I had been thinking that there are not many members total in Kyiv, or  Eastern Europe but I realized right then that I  must never forgot the "worth of a soul" in the eyes of Heavenly Father and how he must rejoice at everyone of these precious children that were denied his gospel for so long. Our blessings are many. 

Opera House

 Khreshatik Street outside our hotel window.  Notice the cars parked on the sidewalk.

  Metro escalator

 Gary and Karlene in front of the Temple

 Karlene and her cousin Marsha Hillam Stewart

A six year old girl playing a Ukranian instrument at the Palm Sunday Program

April 4, 2012

We got up at four AM and decided to go for an early morning walk.  Kyiv is a very interesting city - several old ornate buildings and parks that will be beautiful when the tulips bloom.  We are staying right in the heart of downtown.  Our hotel guesthouse is small but cozy and very conviently located to where Gary will be working and to the Metro station.  Speaking of the Metro, I felt like we were descending into the bowels of the earth when we got on the high speed escalators that drop about ten or more stories in one ride to the packed trains below the earth.  I am amazed that they are still running as old as they are but there was never a hitch.  The Kemptons invited us to dinner at their apartment and where we will be living soon.  I am glad we came with low expectations because this apartment is way nicer than we ever expected.   It is small but not that small and completely decorated with nice furniture, rugs, art etc.  I feel a bit spoiled.  It is about a fifteen minute walk to the Metro station and two stops and a short walk from Gary's office.(We only got lost twice but we expect to get proficient at navigating this trip, soon.)  We had a wonderful evening and dinner and now we are ready for whatever we are asked to do, which will be a lot for Gary right away but he is enthused and up to the challenge.   

April 2, 2012

We left Pocatello for Kyiv about noon.  We watched the sun set while flying over the Hudson Bay, then about 3 hours later we watched the sun rise over Iceland.  Both breathtakingly beautiful.  We stopped over in Paris for a short while and then arrived in Kyiv at 5:00 PM on April 3.  (Heh, what happened to Tuesday).  We were transported to our hotel where we will be staying for 10 days by Igor and met at the hotel by Elder and Sister Kempton who brought us some goodies for our refridgerator.  They are wonderful people and we feel fortunate to have them here to show us around.

Family and friends seeing us off at the Pocatello Airport

At the airport

Gary working the first night in our cute little kitchen!


Our balcony view (Khreschatyk Guesthouse)

April 1, 2012

After watching an amazing 5 sessions of conference we were set apart for our mission by President Kenneth Stucki.  We appreciate what spiritual and encouraging blessings we were given by him through the guidance of the spirit. 

March 25, 2012

All of our children and grandchildren came home for our farewell.  We had a great week and made many wonderful memories.  We also appreciated the love and support of many friends and family members that either traveled from afar or just missed their own meetings to come to see us before we leave for Ukraine.  A special thanks to Karen and Suzanne Hicks for organizing and supplying much of the food and to Tim, Lindsay, Dave and Karin for preparing the main course.  Also to Ron Losser for entertaining the grandchildren with golf cart rides and to everyone else that provided food.  It really meant a lot not to have to worry about things and be able to visit.  With the help of Dianne (and clown act by Tim) we were able to get an adorable picture with all the grandchildren.  Bon Voyage!

Us with our 12 grandchildren!

Us with our adult children, minus Jacque who we missed!! (7 months pregnant)