December 27, 2012

December 17:  It finally stopped snowing.  The amazing thing here in Kyiv is that the snow never falls off the trees or power lines. Everything is still covered with snow and it is absolutely beautiful. It is now bitter cold. Today it was 6 degrees with a wind chill of 10 below zero or more. I have never felt this kind of cold and I totally understand why people here wear fur coats and hats.   

Across from Gary's office

The city crews started bringing in the dump trucks to haul off the snow. The ice chippers (people that chip ice off the sidewalks) work all day. In the city center there are crews that keep the sidewalks pretty clean but in the other parts of the city it is up to the same people that sweep the sidewalks in the summer and rake the leaves in the fall to chip ice in the winter.  You can hear them chip, chip, chipping away all day and into the night. And now that it is so cold I just wonder how they do this arduous task. Most of them are old. It is supposed to get colder as the week goes on. 

It is bitter cold but we dress for it so we are doing fine.  I get sad when I pass the street vendors who are mostly pretty old and sitting outside all day long to sell a few pine cones, or chickens, or shopping bags or whatever. When I see someone without mittens I try to give them some hand warmers with an Article of Faith card. We are so blessed.

On Tuesday a friend of mine went back to the temple after 20 years.  She and her husband were among the first converts in Eastern Europe and had gone to the temple in Germany at that time.  It was wonderful to be with her and see the ceremony through her eyes.  We really have a different vision of things having been raised where the church was always present in our lives.  I like their humility, and sense of awe and wonder.
 

Loboda's and K. Serduk

This week the patrons at the temple are from the Samara Russia Mission. It is unbelievable how far they traveled in this weather. They said that the trains were not heated and were very cold. It took thirty-six hours to get here. They are so humble, so full of joy and are so grateful to be here the week before Christmas. 

The temple on December 19, 2012

Thursday we went to get Gary some shoes at the Ecco Store by the office. They didn't have his size so we had to go to the new "Ocean Mall" to get his size. It is honestly the most beautiful mall I have ever seen. They were just opening a new Kentucky Fried Chicken (first in Ukraine) so we went to the grand opening. I don't remember Kentucky fried chicken ever 
tasting so good.
 

Ocean Mall

Karlene and Ukranian Colonel Sanders

By Friday morning the roads and sidewalks were starting to look pretty clear.  We had heard the dump trucks and plows working through the night clearing the roads. And then during the night it started snowing again and hasn't stopped since.  No doubt about a white Christmas here.

Snow removal at work

Saturday we were out doing some errands and ended up at Khreschatyk at the Christmas Parade.  There were about fifty St. Nicholas’s all in different colored suits and just as many Snow Maidens. I was taking some pictures and one came by and said, “Do you want to make a picture with me.” We fell for it and then ended up having to pay for the pictures that were taken with our camera. Oh well, you are bound to get taken once in a while and it might as well be by St. Nicholas. It was snowing, beautiful and there were even people remembering the birds. 

Christmas tree on Square

One expensive pose!

Santas on the Square

Feed the birds, two pence a bag...

Independence Square

Sunday was our Christmas Program at church.  It was a great program, lots of singing and every person in attendance had a part either singing or speaking. Of course there were only about thirty people there since most all of the Embassy people are out of town and the thirty-five ILP girls left during the week. It really helped put everyone in a festive mood especially since it was still snowing outside. 

Monday, Christmas Eve dawned and we were off to the Stake Center to help the other senior missionaries  fix a brunch for thirty Elder and Sister Missionaries. It was such a fun event with the “right, left” gift exchange, caroling and a great brunch. Everyone left with a plate of Christmas cookies to take home. Then I was off to the office where I was having a little Christmas Party Luncheon for my English Club girls. I love them all so much and wish I could bring them all home with me.

Missionary brunch

Office lunch

By the time we left the office it had started snowing pretty hard. The roads were once again covered and the way traffic was piling up you would have thought it was the first storm.  Just after we got home a family in our branch called to say they were down in front of our apartment but couldn’t open their doors for the snow piled between the street and the sidewalk and a broken down Marsrutka was blocking the drive to the back of our apartment. They had come to Christmas Carol. Yes, Christmas Carolers in Kyiv. I put on my coat and boots and ran right down. I stood outside and they sang from the inside of their car. I was so excited to have some of my favorite primary children come to carol. A lasting memory.

 

The Schorrs came a caroling!!

The snow got worse as the evening wore on and I was glad to be inside watching instead of one of the cars stopped in a huge traffic jam that lasted until after we went to bed at 11:00 PM.  The snow had stopped by morning  as we headed to the metro on our way to the Temple.

The traffic jam in the morning

The Kyiv Temple is the only temple in the world that was open on Christmas and we were blessed to be able to go there for our Christmas morning.  It was such a wonderful place to be and the Spirit in the Temple was truly a Christmas Spirit like no other.  I will cherish this memory always.

Kyiv Temple on Christmas morning 2012

Gary entering the temple

A wonderful Christmas Day at the temple

After our temple session the Senior Missionaries met at the church for a delicious Christmas brunch and then we headed home to fix a Christmas dinner for some Elders that we had invited over. For a Christmas present the Barton’s (our USAID friends) had given us a turkey breast, Stove-top Stuffing, and a can of cranberries so with a leftover yam from Thanksgiving and all the other fixings we had quite the dinner. 

Brunch with senior missionaries

Christmas dinner with Elders

It was wonderful to be able to Skype with our children and see all of the grandchildren this past week. Technology is amazing. We hope that you have many happy memories of this Christmas and that the Spirit of the season remains in your hearts all year round.

December 27 – Today on the way home from the office fresh Christmas trees lined the street by the Metro. Gary knew how much I had wanted a real tree so since Christmas in Ukraine really isn’t until January 7, he bought me one. It is so fun to have a real tree and another Christmas. We also have two New Year’s.  One on the first and one on the fourteenth of January. I Love Ukraine!

Quote for the Week:

"Like the shepherds of old, we need to say in our hearts, 'Let us see this thing which is come to pass.' We need to desire it in our hearts. Let us see the Holy One of Israel in the manger, in the temple, on the mount, and on the cross. Like the shepherds, let us glorify and praise God for these tidings of great joy!"

December 19, 2012

Snow……..wet, fluffy, cold, slushy, and still falling. There was a major blizzard on Monday…..and then it continued on Tuesday. On the way to the temple the roads were covered with the 20 cm we had received overnight but it didn’t stop life in Kyiv. I am so amazed that the busses that I didn’t think would make it through the summer are still rolling along and get us wherever we need to be. No worries about having a white Christmas here. We will have this snow for the next month at least.

Temple

Out of the bus window on the way to the temple

Before I forget I have one important story that I forgot to include last week. I had the opportunity to meet a couple from Lebanon who had come to the temple to be sealed. I just by happenchance took their picture and later learned their interesting story which I thought I would share (as told by President Galbraith)

Garabed, Lena and Grace the day they were sealed

“Garabed, and his wife Lena flew in from Lebanon this week. They were endowed, sealed together, and had baby Grace sealed to them. We who attended the sealing ceremony could not control our tears. They said that they are the first couple born in Lebanon to be sealed together. About six weeks ago he wrote me telling how they had applied for a visa from different embassies of Europe where temples are located and were turned down from each of them. He asked if I would write a letter to the Ukrainian embassy in Lebanon stating that we would accept any risks and would they please allow him, his wife and baby to come to Ukraine for a week to partake of religious rites. I obliged and sent the letter, not knowing the family but only that he was a newly called branch president. It didn’t work. He went to the embassy praying that he would get the visa but was again turned away. Discouraged and down cast he walked out of the embassy when a stern guard with a gun stopped him and asked, “Did you get your visa?” Garabed replied that he had been turned down yet again. The guard whispered, 'Go to this address and they can help you to get a legal visa.' It worked and the family came.”

These stories occur often in the temple and we witness miracles every week. This week the Kyiv Mission branches and Stake came to the temple. They came from all parts of western and southern Ukraine, snow and all.

After we finished at the temple, Sister Ricks wanted to come back to town with us to go to tithing street where they have lots of souvenirs for sale. The snow was still falling and the slush was deep but we went anyway. While she was shopping I tried on a hat like the police captains wear.

Souvenir Street

 

Police Hats modeled by the victims

Sister Ricks buying

That evening Gary and I went to a Baker and McKenzie Client Party at the Philharmonic.  They had entertainment and great food as always. I especially loved the flowers. It was very festive. We really enjoyed the walk back home. 

Baker McKenzie Party

Beautiful flowers

Old and new Hyatt

St. Sophia's on a cold winter's night

Gary went to the temple with me on Wednesday morning since we had a Christmas Party at noon at the church for all the Kyiv service employees. The Area DT had come for the event and it was not quite as fancy as the night before but I have to say the food was a lot better.  The entertainment included our little Ukrainian Choir and the attendees were the people we know, work with and love. Just a wonderful time including the ride back to the office as we all crowded in a Mercedes Minibus taxi.

A few of our office friends

  

Choir

By Friday the snow had subsided. I had lots of errands to run – shoe repair, dry cleaners, mail package, etc. and went with Jill so she could pick up a few more things to take back to the US on Saturday. It marked the one week anniversary since I had been pick-pocketed on the metro so we were being extra careful. We were even looking over everyone very suspiciously. Once again there was the last minute shove from behind as we were getting on the metro but this time we clutched our purses tightly during the crowded ride. But when we got off Jill realized that her wallet had been taken. Probably just at the moment of the big shove. I know we had been targeted from the week before. We immediately reported the crime, went to the other side of the platform and looked down and sure enough, there was her wallet. She lost a lot more money than I did and once again they left all the cards.  As an embassy official, she had to report it and so the embassy sent someone to fill out a report. I have never seen such nervous cops and undercover security. So there we were, sitting for two hours in a different station but the office was basically the same as last week. I really think that the crooks will leave us alone now but of course we also have started putting our money in our under coat pouches.

Inside the jail cell

A little brighter office than the first time around

Outer door of the police office

Phone

Stolen wallet!

Temple Spire

Friday evening we went for dinner and came back on the metro. When we were at Lukianivs’ka it was so slushy and wet Gary said let's take the bus home. After waiting 15  minutes (we could have walked by then) a bus came but pulled in behind us instead of on the street. Everyone ran to get on so we did too. Then it didn't go straight. It turned. I asked the cashier if it was going to Poltavs’ka. She responded in her best English, "tree tops" and then she pointed back. Well, we kept thinking the bus was going to just go around the block and then head back but all of a sudden we were in Podel and then kept right on going. She kept coming back and saying "Tree tops". We decided to get off and cross the street and head back but when we got off there wasn't another bus stop to be seen. Another bus had just pulled up as we were looking for a stop so we hopped back on.  It ended up being the wrong number. After about three more stops and no indication that we were turning around, we asked the cashier and he told us to get off, go up the street and get on a #6 or #18  in the opposite direction. We finally made it home about 9:30 PM but, honestly we had the most beautiful ride. There were parks on both sides of the descent and it was like a winter wonderland. It was like going on a nice ride through the snow; however, it would have been more fun on a horse drawn sleigh. And yes we have been here nine months so you think we should have known better by now. This day also included a 6:30 AM unexpected taxi ride, being harassed by Woody Woodpecker at Independence Square and giving aid to a heart attack victim at the bus stop, but enough already. Needless to say it was a crazy day. 

Saturday the snowy weather turned cold.  It was our day to clean the church but luckily the family that was helping us had a car so we got a ride. We spent most of the day inside but ventured out for a short walk. It looked so nice with the sun out but with a wind chill of -10 we came home and enjoyed the beauty from the inside where it was warm.

 

Winter travel

It is hard to believe that Christmas is in a little over a week. It was fun to open the mailbox today and have seven cards come spilling out. It's starting to feel more like Christmas. 

Christmas Quote:

"Christmas is a time for remembering the Son of God and renewing our determination to take upon us His name. It is a time to reassess our lives and examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Let this be a time of remembrance, of gratitude, and a time of forgiveness. Let it be a time to ponder the Atonement of Jesus Christ and its meaning for each of us personally. Let it especially be a time of renewal and recommitment to live by the word of God and to obey His commandments. By doing this, we honor Him far more than we ever could with lights, gifts, or parties."   President Uchtdorf

Star of Bethlehem
(picture taken in the morning on the way to church)