Hello Family!
Well another week here in Ukraine come and gone. With it were four cold
fronts from Siberia. It's kind of a joke back home about how cold Siberia is,
then you live in a place where you feel their leftovers! It's definitely not a
joke. We've got a nice warm day here today again, and according to the lady at
the coat store we'll be in for another really cold day tomorrow. (she might have
said that because she wanted me to buy a coat...well it worked!)
Halloween in Ukraine isn't really celebrated all that much. I think it's
becoming increasingly bigger as the years pass, there are a couple of big
Halloween parties being advertised here in Kyiv. It's interesting how American
traditions are slowly leaking into the rest of the world.
Speaking of America, anyone want to tell me what's going on with the
election? I signed up online to get a ballot so hopefully that will happen and
I'll get to vote online. But all we get are snipets from President and seeing as
he's German, I don't know how much actually gets through. When we asked him if
we could have time to do absentee ballots he said..."only if you're voting for
Romney!" President Klebingat reminds me a lot of John sometimes.
We had the awesome opportunity to hear from Elder Steven E Snow (the church
historian and recorder) and some of his associates today. They were here touring
the country and talking to members about how it was when the church first
started here. He told us how much of a miracle it is that things like the stake,
and the temple have happened here.We got to meet them and shake their hands,
they talked a lot about recording our experiences on our missions. We had stake
conference this weekend and all of the leaders spoke. It was really fun to watch
President Klebingat speak in Russian and President Gailbrath (the temple
president) bear his testimony in Russian. You can see how much they both love
the people here.
I had a neat experience with a lady named Galina the other night. When she
first started talking she went on and on about how she was a doctor, but
couldn't afford anything. Meanwhile, doctors in America are highly established.
At first, it was really hard for me to have love and truly be there for her, but
about halfway into the conversation I started praying that I would find love for
this woman. Almost immediately it was as if I could see her whole life before
me, the struggles she had had, how hard she had worked. Life seemed to take on a
new meaning and suddenly I knew that the Lord loved her so much and he trusted
us enough to have that time with her, to strengthen her and give her comfort and
hope. By the end of our conversation, we were laughing and her whole countenance
had changed. I'm so grateful that the Lord gives me many opportunities to help
change the lives of others. It is a great blessing.
I hope everyone had a great week. Zach, I expect a doubly long letter next
week.
Sister Daniel
PS Mom, thanks so much for the card, and please tell Candy I got hers, and
I loved it!
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