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.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
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)
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)
Thursday, March 15, 2012
March 15, 2012
We received our itinerary to Kyiv today. We will be leaving at 1:30 PM on April 2nd from the Pocatello Airport. We will fly to Salt Lake, then to Paris, France and will arrive in Kyiv Ukraine at 5:40 PM on April 3rd. And then the adventure begins.
March 5-7, 2012
We went to Salt Lake for another three day orientation. We learned so many things about what we would be doing in Ukraine and it is really exciting. We also met the other five couples that are leaving about the same time we are (one to Sydney Australia, one to Manila, one to Hong Kong, one to Accra and one to Johannesburg) and we all had a great time together.
February 13-15, 2012
Gary, Elder Lance Wickman, and Karlene
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