It was wonderful to hear our son's voice over the computer(we used skype) Christmas morning.
He's doing fabulous, even though a little home sick during this holiday time.
He was grateful for all that was sent for his Christmas and told me to make sure that I thanked everyone. He enjoyed the homemade gifts, like the conversion stores, and the warm ones and the yummy ones and the useful ones and the fun ones. So thank you one and all.
Here are some interesting things that we learned. Next transfer is in 2 weeks and supposedly he will be getting the box that I sent with thermals in them. I'm hoping. When there is a transfer, all those missionary companionships that are affected metro in to the mission home in Donetsk and do there changes there; unless you are doing a companion switch in Kharkov, you would then pack your stuff and move to one of the other apartments.
Chris says that he is definetely keeping warm with the scarfs, gloves and socks people have gifted him. Thanks to all.
The most spiritual experience he has had to date as been the baptism that was held on Christmas day for a child of record and an African man who was converted.
The only have open House twice a year.
There are l0 different kinds of ketchup in the Ukraine.
Chris really enjoyed the electronic Christmas card that alot of the extended family spoke on and then we sent to him. *(thanks to Auntie Ilana for thinking of such a great idea) He's played it and played it!
I asked him what people do for work. He said that One of the families that seems to do well the wife is a music teacher and the husband works as a sales clerk.
Evidently if you have a car you're doing pretty good. I guess the branch president has a vehicle but Chris didn't know what he did for a living.
One of the member's is a beekeeper and the other is a security guard for the soccer stadium.
I did ask him what we could do to help the missionaries have success in the Ukraine and he said to continue to pay for the Ukraine missionaries that they will have success in contacting individuals and that the Ukrainian people will be receptive to their message.
There are 4 missionaries in their branch. He really enjoys a young man by the name of Sasha who was baptized the first weekend he was in the ukraine.
Since his Companion makes alot of Mexican food, he is getting tired of it.; He was very grateful for the gift of a Christmas dinner out to a restaurant for him and his companion. They had real Ukrainian food.
As of this date, Chris has not eatten at a member's house. The people make so little money, the retail worker in the ward makes $150 a month and his wife, the music teacher makes $350, that there isn't much left to purchase food and feed missionaries. That's okay though because the dollar is strong there and they can buy food from local vendors for $l or so.
Thanks again for all your cards, gifts and prayers on Chris' behalf!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
12/27/2010 Christmas Eve and Translating The Russian is getting better!
Merry Christmas!
This week I had a split with the person who trained my MTC compantion; that was interesting, but I got my first contact, in that he actually talked with me.
I saw someone flying a kite the other day and they had it so high up that you could see the curve in the string.
On Christmas Eve we went caroling which was interesting. It was the grand opening of their equivalent to Christmas in the Park in San Jose only l0 times better. So there were thousands of people there and after the amazing fireworks show everyone came down the street passing by us as we caroled. We had a member talk to those that stopped. We had many people take a picture of us and leave, one man put money in our flyer box, and one may was a recent convert from San Diego and we told him where the church is and he came on Sunday.
yesterday we had one of our investigators and one of the other elders' show up and to the Christmas celebration that night. She saw me talking with our senior missionaries, the Reeds , and she said to them how grateful she is for us and our visits and how we keep coming and teaching her.
Then I translated for the Reeds because no one wanted to and I thought it would be fun. I thought I did terrible but they told me I did an amazing job and "if i can do this now, I'll get better really quickly." Then later, a returned missionary in the ward asked me how I learned Russian so quickly, I replied that I don't know Russian and she said, "Whatever?, You translated today, really good job." So my Russian is coming along.
You asked for this word to practice so here it is in print: ycoBepweHcTBOBaT6C(backwards R).
I almost found down this week in a metro station and these two girls laughed at me from behind but that was taken care of by my companion who happened to be angry at the time and made them a look that made them stop.
Dexter is going to back to America soon; so he's been busy trying to finish some work.
And while on the split, Elder Beck got some new contacts so we should have some new investigators.
Love you all,
Have a fun Christmas
This week I had a split with the person who trained my MTC compantion; that was interesting, but I got my first contact, in that he actually talked with me.
I saw someone flying a kite the other day and they had it so high up that you could see the curve in the string.
On Christmas Eve we went caroling which was interesting. It was the grand opening of their equivalent to Christmas in the Park in San Jose only l0 times better. So there were thousands of people there and after the amazing fireworks show everyone came down the street passing by us as we caroled. We had a member talk to those that stopped. We had many people take a picture of us and leave, one man put money in our flyer box, and one may was a recent convert from San Diego and we told him where the church is and he came on Sunday.
yesterday we had one of our investigators and one of the other elders' show up and to the Christmas celebration that night. She saw me talking with our senior missionaries, the Reeds , and she said to them how grateful she is for us and our visits and how we keep coming and teaching her.
Then I translated for the Reeds because no one wanted to and I thought it would be fun. I thought I did terrible but they told me I did an amazing job and "if i can do this now, I'll get better really quickly." Then later, a returned missionary in the ward asked me how I learned Russian so quickly, I replied that I don't know Russian and she said, "Whatever?, You translated today, really good job." So my Russian is coming along.
You asked for this word to practice so here it is in print: ycoBepweHcTBOBaT6C(backwards R).
I almost found down this week in a metro station and these two girls laughed at me from behind but that was taken care of by my companion who happened to be angry at the time and made them a look that made them stop.
Dexter is going to back to America soon; so he's been busy trying to finish some work.
And while on the split, Elder Beck got some new contacts so we should have some new investigators.
Love you all,
Have a fun Christmas
12/25/2010 Chris and the Christmas Family Phone Call
THE RUSSELLS WERE ABLE TO SPEAK WITH CHRIS FOR AN HOUR ON CHRISTMAS DAY! HOW FUN THAT WAS FOR MOM AND DAD TO HEAR HIS VOICE...
The Christmas phone call was wonderful and we learned a lot more about Christmas in the Ukraine and what goes on in the City of Kharkov.
First of all, the plaza that sits close to the Elders' appartment building, had a huge beautiful tree that was decorated with lights and ornaments to the hilt. It actually could compete with the tree in Times Square, I'm told.
Chris said that one day, a truck pulled up with Logs on it dumped them off at the plaza and then workman came out of nowhere and started making a log house with windows. It was a couple of stories high and at the end of the day there were several slides that extended out of the windows. The people would pay to ride the slides.
Also, A cement mixer showed up one morning and proceeded to pour cement into one of the streets next to the plaza. Later the cement area was used as an ice skating rink. Chris said that it was fun to watch everyone ice skating but he was puzzled as to why you'd cement up a major street.
Also, many carnival rides were brought in aan set up for the festivities. If you've been to the San Benito Fair, there were more rides than what you see there.
Christmas Eve in the plaza was very active with lots of fireworks; just like 4 th of July in the States, Chris said. As the people descended from the viewing of the fireworks, the missionaries were on the edge of the Plaza singing Chrismas Carols. Many individuals stopped and listened and took pictures of them. There were members there to hand out flyers about the church and answer questions. They received many contacts from this unique way of contacting.
Chris said to thank all who had sent things in his Christmas box and for all the dear elders that everyone continues to send.
I asked him what we could do to help the Ukraine Donetsk mission, he said that praying for the Donetsk missionaries to find people to teach is what they need most at this moment in time. They do not have a Stake formed in this mission and it will be a great blessing to have a Stake so that the people can govern themselves. Of course, there have to be a certain amount of members in the area to create a Stake.
So this new year, let's make a point of praying for the Donetsk missionaries to find those spirits who are just waiting to be taught and baptized and enjoy the many blessings that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has to offer them.
May you and yours be blessed this up-coming new year!
DeLisa
The Christmas phone call was wonderful and we learned a lot more about Christmas in the Ukraine and what goes on in the City of Kharkov.
First of all, the plaza that sits close to the Elders' appartment building, had a huge beautiful tree that was decorated with lights and ornaments to the hilt. It actually could compete with the tree in Times Square, I'm told.
Chris said that one day, a truck pulled up with Logs on it dumped them off at the plaza and then workman came out of nowhere and started making a log house with windows. It was a couple of stories high and at the end of the day there were several slides that extended out of the windows. The people would pay to ride the slides.
Also, A cement mixer showed up one morning and proceeded to pour cement into one of the streets next to the plaza. Later the cement area was used as an ice skating rink. Chris said that it was fun to watch everyone ice skating but he was puzzled as to why you'd cement up a major street.
Also, many carnival rides were brought in aan set up for the festivities. If you've been to the San Benito Fair, there were more rides than what you see there.
Christmas Eve in the plaza was very active with lots of fireworks; just like 4 th of July in the States, Chris said. As the people descended from the viewing of the fireworks, the missionaries were on the edge of the Plaza singing Chrismas Carols. Many individuals stopped and listened and took pictures of them. There were members there to hand out flyers about the church and answer questions. They received many contacts from this unique way of contacting.
Chris said to thank all who had sent things in his Christmas box and for all the dear elders that everyone continues to send.
I asked him what we could do to help the Ukraine Donetsk mission, he said that praying for the Donetsk missionaries to find people to teach is what they need most at this moment in time. They do not have a Stake formed in this mission and it will be a great blessing to have a Stake so that the people can govern themselves. Of course, there have to be a certain amount of members in the area to create a Stake.
So this new year, let's make a point of praying for the Donetsk missionaries to find those spirits who are just waiting to be taught and baptized and enjoy the many blessings that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has to offer them.
May you and yours be blessed this up-coming new year!
DeLisa
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
12/13/2010 Falling on Ice - Fathers and Sons
Hello family and friends!
So it has been snowing out here which means that there is a nice layer of ice on the ground and in 2 days I have managed to fall more times than either of my Zone leaders have their entire missions! Because of the ice we didn't do sports last week but we did end up bowling. That was pretty fun.
Dexter, our American investigator, called almost every day this week asking for advice with his girl problem. The first time he did it he was very stressed so I told him to read from the Book of Mormon and he called me back after reading 3 Nephi 27, which is pretty much all about baptism, and I told him to be baptized! He quickly changed the subject! Ugh!!!!
We ran into some Budhists who started telling us that reincarnation and resurrection were the same thing.
A drunk man thought that I was Swedish and started talking to us and then he said I must be Ukrainian and spoke to us in Ukrainian. It was pretty weird.
The sun now come's up at 8 am every day and goes down at 4 pm. It's really strange. Not that we see the sun because of the fog, cloud coverage and pollution.
My companion is cool, he just doesn't speak to me in Russian at all so I'm not sure how helpful this is to my learning Russian. He convinced me to buy some Ukrainian candy, because it is 3 times cheaper than m & ms, so I did and it was really good.
We still have not found the record for our investigator but she's giving us some strange information. For example, on Sunday she said that she saw Jesus Christ at the bedside of her husband. Not that it's impossible, but it's odd.
I'm excited because we should be gettting a French speaking investigator passed to us which should be cool since he doesn't know any Russian and I know French. We are looking forward to meeting this investigator.
Here is something that we saw today on the streets. A Father is pulling his young son on a sled. He runs ahead and when they cross the street, the sidewalk drops off, so the kid jumps a little, then the sidewalk starts back up on the other side. But the Father runs him straight into it and he flies out of it and the sled lands on top of him and he's just laughing hysterically.
Well, Thank you all for your love and support.
Elder Russell
FYI from the missionary mom, I got this off the Mission's Blog:
Sis. & Pres. Fry will be visiting Kharkov this Wednesday and Thursday and they have a special Christmas celebration set up for the missionaries in that area. They are keeping everything a surprise but they are supposed to be doing a special service project, games and a special dinner. I'm looking forward to hearing about it.
Happy Holidays! DeLisa
So it has been snowing out here which means that there is a nice layer of ice on the ground and in 2 days I have managed to fall more times than either of my Zone leaders have their entire missions! Because of the ice we didn't do sports last week but we did end up bowling. That was pretty fun.
Dexter, our American investigator, called almost every day this week asking for advice with his girl problem. The first time he did it he was very stressed so I told him to read from the Book of Mormon and he called me back after reading 3 Nephi 27, which is pretty much all about baptism, and I told him to be baptized! He quickly changed the subject! Ugh!!!!
We ran into some Budhists who started telling us that reincarnation and resurrection were the same thing.
A drunk man thought that I was Swedish and started talking to us and then he said I must be Ukrainian and spoke to us in Ukrainian. It was pretty weird.
The sun now come's up at 8 am every day and goes down at 4 pm. It's really strange. Not that we see the sun because of the fog, cloud coverage and pollution.
My companion is cool, he just doesn't speak to me in Russian at all so I'm not sure how helpful this is to my learning Russian. He convinced me to buy some Ukrainian candy, because it is 3 times cheaper than m & ms, so I did and it was really good.
We still have not found the record for our investigator but she's giving us some strange information. For example, on Sunday she said that she saw Jesus Christ at the bedside of her husband. Not that it's impossible, but it's odd.
I'm excited because we should be gettting a French speaking investigator passed to us which should be cool since he doesn't know any Russian and I know French. We are looking forward to meeting this investigator.
Here is something that we saw today on the streets. A Father is pulling his young son on a sled. He runs ahead and when they cross the street, the sidewalk drops off, so the kid jumps a little, then the sidewalk starts back up on the other side. But the Father runs him straight into it and he flies out of it and the sled lands on top of him and he's just laughing hysterically.
Well, Thank you all for your love and support.
Elder Russell
FYI from the missionary mom, I got this off the Mission's Blog:
Sis. & Pres. Fry will be visiting Kharkov this Wednesday and Thursday and they have a special Christmas celebration set up for the missionaries in that area. They are keeping everything a surprise but they are supposed to be doing a special service project, games and a special dinner. I'm looking forward to hearing about it.
Happy Holidays! DeLisa
12/6/2010 First Snow, 13 celcious,
Hello family & Friends,
I will try to get better at writing a letter for everyone every week. Last Sunday was the first snow that we had in the Ukraine; then on Monday, we played sports in snow, then rain, then hail. And my companion hurt his leg a little but he's fine now. We went to the Barabashova and got some more ties, but our hands were freezing. It got down to 13 celcious here this week which was pretty cold but it means all the mud is gone ony it's replaced by ice.
Our landlady raised the rent, which I guess isn't odd, but we had paid for November and December and she tried to add the extra to those two months too. So we told her there was a mistake and had the office talk with her and everything is fine now.
One day we woke up and the cold water had been shut off completely. That was wierd. I am warm if there are concerns about that, and I'm fairly confident I can survive the winter
To answer Grandma Wises's questions, we have one child in our Branch. He's about 6 years old and he's a fireball!
And if any were curious, this is how Roxlana works: Instead of doing custums in Ukraine (like the regular post) they do customs in America, thereby stopping the Ukrainian post service from taking things out of boxes.
Christmas traditions here aren't terribly different, except that it's in January and it's actually New Years not Christmas. Walking to Church we saw people setting up a Santa's village thing and they have decorated trees everywhere.
Dexter hasn't been reading or coming to church and when he calls us he monologues for 20 minutes about the bad people he meets in the Ukraine. But, our other investigator, Pricup Bknragphka, came to church and stayed for a lesson afterward. The thing is, is that one of the RM sisters in the ward talked with her and apparently she's already been baptized! So we're trying to figure this out because she doesn't remember who did it , when it was, or what branch the baptism was performed in. Our Investigator turned into a less active!
Well, love you all! Thank you for the letters! I have all the dear elders sent before November 21st! Love, Elder Russell
FYI: On extremely cold days, the Elders are instructed not to go out of their apartments!
I will try to get better at writing a letter for everyone every week. Last Sunday was the first snow that we had in the Ukraine; then on Monday, we played sports in snow, then rain, then hail. And my companion hurt his leg a little but he's fine now. We went to the Barabashova and got some more ties, but our hands were freezing. It got down to 13 celcious here this week which was pretty cold but it means all the mud is gone ony it's replaced by ice.
Our landlady raised the rent, which I guess isn't odd, but we had paid for November and December and she tried to add the extra to those two months too. So we told her there was a mistake and had the office talk with her and everything is fine now.
One day we woke up and the cold water had been shut off completely. That was wierd. I am warm if there are concerns about that, and I'm fairly confident I can survive the winter
To answer Grandma Wises's questions, we have one child in our Branch. He's about 6 years old and he's a fireball!
And if any were curious, this is how Roxlana works: Instead of doing custums in Ukraine (like the regular post) they do customs in America, thereby stopping the Ukrainian post service from taking things out of boxes.
Christmas traditions here aren't terribly different, except that it's in January and it's actually New Years not Christmas. Walking to Church we saw people setting up a Santa's village thing and they have decorated trees everywhere.
Dexter hasn't been reading or coming to church and when he calls us he monologues for 20 minutes about the bad people he meets in the Ukraine. But, our other investigator, Pricup Bknragphka, came to church and stayed for a lesson afterward. The thing is, is that one of the RM sisters in the ward talked with her and apparently she's already been baptized! So we're trying to figure this out because she doesn't remember who did it , when it was, or what branch the baptism was performed in. Our Investigator turned into a less active!
Well, love you all! Thank you for the letters! I have all the dear elders sent before November 21st! Love, Elder Russell
FYI: On extremely cold days, the Elders are instructed not to go out of their apartments!
12/13/2010 Falling on Ice - Fathers and Sons
Hello family and friends!
So it has been snowing out here which means that there is a nice layer of ice on the ground and in 2 days I have managed to fall more times than either of my Zone leaders have their entire missions! Because of the ice we didn't do sports last week but we did end up bowling. That was pretty fun.
Dexter, our American investigator, called almost every day this week asking for advice with his girl problem. The first time he did it he was very stressed so I told him to read from the Book of Mormon and he called me back after reading 3 Nephi 27, which is pretty much all about baptism, and I told him to be baptized! He quickly changed the subject! Ugh!!!!
We ran into some Budhists who started telling us that reincarnation and resurrection were the same thing.
A drunk man thought that I was Swedish and started talking to us and then he said I must be Ukrainian and spoke to us in Ukrainian. It was pretty weird.
The sun now come's up at 8 am every day and goes down at 4 pm. It's really strange. Not that we see the sun because of the fog, cloud coverage and pollution.
My companion is cool, he just doesn't speak to me in Russian at all so I'm not sure how helpful this is to my learning Russian. He convinced me to buy some Ukrainian candy, because it is 3 times cheaper than m & ms, so I did and it was really good.
We still have not found the record for our investigator but she's giving us some strange information. For example, on Sunday she said that she saw Jesus Christ at the bedside of her husband. Not that it's impossible, but it's odd.
I'm excited because we should be gettting a French speaking investigator passed to us which should be cool since he doesn't know any Russian and I know French. We are looking forward to meeting this investigator.
Here is something that we saw today on the streets. A Father is pulling his young son on a sled. He runs ahead and when they cross the street, the sidewalk drops off, so the kid jumps a little, then the sidewalk starts back up on the other side. But the Father runs him straight into it and he flies out of it and the sled lands on top of him and he's just laughing hysterically.
Well, Thank you all for your love and support.
Elder Russell
FYI from the missionary mom, I got this off the Mission's Blog:
Sis. & Pres. Fry will be visiting Kharkov this Wednesday and Thursday and they have a special Christmas celebration set up for the missionaries in that area. They are keeping everything a surprise but they are supposed to be doing a special service project, games and a special dinner. I'm looking forward to hearing about it.
Happy Holidays! DeLisa
So it has been snowing out here which means that there is a nice layer of ice on the ground and in 2 days I have managed to fall more times than either of my Zone leaders have their entire missions! Because of the ice we didn't do sports last week but we did end up bowling. That was pretty fun.
Dexter, our American investigator, called almost every day this week asking for advice with his girl problem. The first time he did it he was very stressed so I told him to read from the Book of Mormon and he called me back after reading 3 Nephi 27, which is pretty much all about baptism, and I told him to be baptized! He quickly changed the subject! Ugh!!!!
We ran into some Budhists who started telling us that reincarnation and resurrection were the same thing.
A drunk man thought that I was Swedish and started talking to us and then he said I must be Ukrainian and spoke to us in Ukrainian. It was pretty weird.
The sun now come's up at 8 am every day and goes down at 4 pm. It's really strange. Not that we see the sun because of the fog, cloud coverage and pollution.
My companion is cool, he just doesn't speak to me in Russian at all so I'm not sure how helpful this is to my learning Russian. He convinced me to buy some Ukrainian candy, because it is 3 times cheaper than m & ms, so I did and it was really good.
We still have not found the record for our investigator but she's giving us some strange information. For example, on Sunday she said that she saw Jesus Christ at the bedside of her husband. Not that it's impossible, but it's odd.
I'm excited because we should be gettting a French speaking investigator passed to us which should be cool since he doesn't know any Russian and I know French. We are looking forward to meeting this investigator.
Here is something that we saw today on the streets. A Father is pulling his young son on a sled. He runs ahead and when they cross the street, the sidewalk drops off, so the kid jumps a little, then the sidewalk starts back up on the other side. But the Father runs him straight into it and he flies out of it and the sled lands on top of him and he's just laughing hysterically.
Well, Thank you all for your love and support.
Elder Russell
FYI from the missionary mom, I got this off the Mission's Blog:
Sis. & Pres. Fry will be visiting Kharkov this Wednesday and Thursday and they have a special Christmas celebration set up for the missionaries in that area. They are keeping everything a surprise but they are supposed to be doing a special service project, games and a special dinner. I'm looking forward to hearing about it.
Happy Holidays! DeLisa
Thanksgiving in the Ukraine 2010
Chris met with other missionaries and the local, small congregation, at the meeting house for an American Thanksgiving, thanks to his lugging the turkey home on the subway, I have posted a few pictures of the event.
11/28/2010 Fines, Transfers, and Packages
Subject: Hey
Date: Sunday, November 28, 2010, 11:04 PM
So just to be clear: this is a regular transfer, nothing odd happened to cause elder rader to leave. My new companion is elder Beck. He's pretty cool. But I'm learning that I need to pick up the pace on learning the language. English classes have been cancelled due to a 1,000,000 ruble fine in russia and the fact that they asked us to do it a while ago. Poor sister howell will be training in her 3rd transfer (6 weeks from now) which should be interesting. And our weekly feeding of the bums is over now because the place was closed down. But I got my 3 hours of service in this week by helping out the Reeds with their computer and stuff. I got my package on Sunday and I now have all dear elders sent before the 15th of november. The package came on the day of transfers though so you cut it really close. Just saying that you need to send them a bit earlier. Our referral gave me a russian book that is a biography of Douglas Macarthur. Should be fun to read when I get back.
FYI:1. the Russian fine is equivalent to $33,000.
2. Elder Rader is now a district leader in the area Chris is serving in.
3. The mission president's blog is timandjeanniefry.blogspot.com it has a couple of pictures from the November transfer that Chris is in and short biographies on the Mission President and His Wife.
4. The box took exactley 14 days from the time it went from Hollister, to Jersey to Ukraine! Yeah!!
Our family wishes to thank all those who contributed to Chris' Christmas box.
Date: Sunday, November 28, 2010, 11:04 PM
So just to be clear: this is a regular transfer, nothing odd happened to cause elder rader to leave. My new companion is elder Beck. He's pretty cool. But I'm learning that I need to pick up the pace on learning the language. English classes have been cancelled due to a 1,000,000 ruble fine in russia and the fact that they asked us to do it a while ago. Poor sister howell will be training in her 3rd transfer (6 weeks from now) which should be interesting. And our weekly feeding of the bums is over now because the place was closed down. But I got my 3 hours of service in this week by helping out the Reeds with their computer and stuff. I got my package on Sunday and I now have all dear elders sent before the 15th of november. The package came on the day of transfers though so you cut it really close. Just saying that you need to send them a bit earlier. Our referral gave me a russian book that is a biography of Douglas Macarthur. Should be fun to read when I get back.
FYI:1. the Russian fine is equivalent to $33,000.
2. Elder Rader is now a district leader in the area Chris is serving in.
3. The mission president's blog is timandjeanniefry.blogspot.com it has a couple of pictures from the November transfer that Chris is in and short biographies on the Mission President and His Wife.
4. The box took exactley 14 days from the time it went from Hollister, to Jersey to Ukraine! Yeah!!
Our family wishes to thank all those who contributed to Chris' Christmas box.
11/22/2010 Tidbits and Pictures of Chris
The following includes a brief conversation between Chris and his Dad regarding some questions his Dad had. As an explanation a P-Day is a preparation day, it is the one day of the week the missionaries have to do things other than missionary work, laundry, shopping, cleaning, napping, sight seeing etc.
The keyboards have both russian and english symbols on all of the keys. I know of an elder pulsifer, I've met him and he's nice. He's a little frustrated with the language right now though...I think. Well the missionaries do the 25th but the rest of ukraine celebrates it on the 7th of january. But that's really new years for them, not really christmas. It's just the same celebration(tree, lights, presents, alcohol, vodka, beer, and whisky).
On Mon, Nov 22, 2010 at 5:34 AM, Steve Russell wrote:
Chris,
Here are some quick questions for you:
1) do the internet cafes have US keyboards or a keyboard with US markings or do you just have to guess?
2) We have a spanish speaking elder in Hollister now (elder Quinn) that was called to Guadalajara, but is waiting for his Visa. He says he has a friend in your mission, Elder Pulsifer, from Denver who left in April. Do you know him?
3) When do you celebrate Christmas in the Ukraine? 12/25 (gregorian) or 1/7 (julian)?
Keep up the good work.
-- Dad
The keyboards have both russian and english symbols on all of the keys. I know of an elder pulsifer, I've met him and he's nice. He's a little frustrated with the language right now though...I think. Well the missionaries do the 25th but the rest of ukraine celebrates it on the 7th of january. But that's really new years for them, not really christmas. It's just the same celebration(tree, lights, presents, alcohol, vodka, beer, and whisky).
On Mon, Nov 22, 2010 at 5:34 AM, Steve Russell wrote:
Chris,
Here are some quick questions for you:
1) do the internet cafes have US keyboards or a keyboard with US markings or do you just have to guess?
2) We have a spanish speaking elder in Hollister now (elder Quinn) that was called to Guadalajara, but is waiting for his Visa. He says he has a friend in your mission, Elder Pulsifer, from Denver who left in April. Do you know him?
3) When do you celebrate Christmas in the Ukraine? 12/25 (gregorian) or 1/7 (julian)?
Keep up the good work.
-- Dad
11/22/2010 Turkeys and Transfers a recap from DeLisa
Elder Russell spent half of his preparation day searching the city of Karhkov for a turkey and then "lugging" the big bird by subway to the zone leaders apartment so it can be cooked for Thanksgiving Day dinner.
This Friday will bring a new companion to Elder Russell and he will not find out who his new comp is until that day. If I'm understanding things correctly, everyone goes to the mission home in Donetsk and new missionary assignments are made when all the missionaries are together. Elder Russell is disappointed that he will have only been Elder Rader's companion for a short 6 weeks. Since there are Native missionaries serving in the area, if Elder Russell were to get a Russian speaking missionary, his Russian would grow by leaps and bounds at a very fast pace.
The work has gone wonderfully well for their companionship this week! They held a 2 day open house and had over 40 people come through and were able to get referral's and a member contact. They have a teaching appointment with the member contact this week and they also were able to teach a discussion during the open house.
Dexter, the American military man, is continuing to make strides, and they are hoping for a baptism soon.
During this Thanksgiving season, we are thankful for Elder Russell's missionary service and the many blessings that it has brought to our family , and the blessings that our yet to come. We're especially grateful for dear family and kind friends who love and support our son! Have the Happiest of Thanksgivings!
The Russell Family
This Friday will bring a new companion to Elder Russell and he will not find out who his new comp is until that day. If I'm understanding things correctly, everyone goes to the mission home in Donetsk and new missionary assignments are made when all the missionaries are together. Elder Russell is disappointed that he will have only been Elder Rader's companion for a short 6 weeks. Since there are Native missionaries serving in the area, if Elder Russell were to get a Russian speaking missionary, his Russian would grow by leaps and bounds at a very fast pace.
The work has gone wonderfully well for their companionship this week! They held a 2 day open house and had over 40 people come through and were able to get referral's and a member contact. They have a teaching appointment with the member contact this week and they also were able to teach a discussion during the open house.
Dexter, the American military man, is continuing to make strides, and they are hoping for a baptism soon.
During this Thanksgiving season, we are thankful for Elder Russell's missionary service and the many blessings that it has brought to our family , and the blessings that our yet to come. We're especially grateful for dear family and kind friends who love and support our son! Have the Happiest of Thanksgivings!
The Russell Family
11/15/2010 DeLisa's recap of Chris' week
This week Elder Russell and his companion have been spending much of their time listening for the directions of the spirit as to where they should do their contacting and who they should contact. They've been able to give out several Book of Mormons and are hoping that some follow up visits will generate new investigators.
Dexter remains their most promising investigator and he is continuing to read the Book of Mormon and pray. He's had a few spiritual experiences since he's begun seeing the elders and he has a testimony of priesthood blessings and the comfort they bring when dealing with life's challenges.
As for Thanksgiving, it sounds like the missionaries in Chris' district will all meet together at the senior couple's apartment and celebrate there. As a mom, I am so grateful for Elder And Sister Reed and for the support that they provide to my missionary and the many kind acts that they perform on the behalf of my missionary and the members of their Ukrainian Branch. I know that they are a wonderful support to the Branch in their area.
Once again, many thanks to all who are interested in our son's mission, and we are especially grateful for all of the prayers that are offered on his behalf.
DeLisa
Dexter remains their most promising investigator and he is continuing to read the Book of Mormon and pray. He's had a few spiritual experiences since he's begun seeing the elders and he has a testimony of priesthood blessings and the comfort they bring when dealing with life's challenges.
As for Thanksgiving, it sounds like the missionaries in Chris' district will all meet together at the senior couple's apartment and celebrate there. As a mom, I am so grateful for Elder And Sister Reed and for the support that they provide to my missionary and the many kind acts that they perform on the behalf of my missionary and the members of their Ukrainian Branch. I know that they are a wonderful support to the Branch in their area.
Once again, many thanks to all who are interested in our son's mission, and we are especially grateful for all of the prayers that are offered on his behalf.
DeLisa
11/9/2010 Note from Mission President Fry and his Wife
A Mission President and his Wife are called to preside over a specific mission for the period of three years. They are responsible for each missionary as well as the teaching of the gospel in that specific mission.
As you can see from this picture of President and Sister Fry, they are not necessarily elderly, retired couples. Often entire families, children and all, pick up and move to a new location for this three year time frame. It is a huge sacrifice and commitment on their part and we appreciate their willingness of the Fry's to serve the Ukrananian people as well as our missionary.
Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010, 11:04 AM
Dear Brother and Sister Russell,
We are happy to have your son serving with us in the mission. We just finished a Zone Conference in Kharkov where we saw him and his companion. They are doing very well. We have attached a picture of him with us. If you should ever need to get in touch with us, you can email us at: timfry.fry@gmail.com and please check out our blog at: www.timandjeanniefry.blogspot.com . Thank you for sharing your son with us at this time.
Sincerely,
President and Sister Fry
As you can see from this picture of President and Sister Fry, they are not necessarily elderly, retired couples. Often entire families, children and all, pick up and move to a new location for this three year time frame. It is a huge sacrifice and commitment on their part and we appreciate their willingness of the Fry's to serve the Ukrananian people as well as our missionary.
Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010, 11:04 AM
Dear Brother and Sister Russell,
We are happy to have your son serving with us in the mission. We just finished a Zone Conference in Kharkov where we saw him and his companion. They are doing very well. We have attached a picture of him with us. If you should ever need to get in touch with us, you can email us at: timfry.fry@gmail.com and please check out our blog at: www.timandjeanniefry.blogspot.com . Thank you for sharing your son with us at this time.
Sincerely,
President and Sister Fry
11/8/2010 Ukranian Apartment and Case Struggles
Hi! This week Elder Russell spent much of his time studying in his apartment because his companion was ill.
I did get some photos of the interior of the apartment and that was somewhat interesting.
The apartment is very nice and the kitchen looks quite new with new appliances(microwave and oven/stove). The 2 unique things in the apartment, a beautiful piano and a really funny looking home gym contraption that is actually bolted into the roof and floor of one the rooms. I'll try to e-mail these out later.
I'm really appreciative of the senior couple who serve in Chris' area. They have sent us the photo that we love and Chris' says that Sis. Reed always hosts district meeting and she cooks a meal for all of the elders that attend.
Investigator Updates: Dexter has made much progress this past week! He stopped drinking coffee came to church, and is currently praying about the Law of Chastity. He is an awesome investigator and Elder Russell sees him being baptized in the near future.
They were also finally able to go out contacting Sunday evening when Elder Rader seemed over his illness and they gave out 3 Book of Mormons which they will follow up on this week.
As far as the language goes, Elder Russell, who never struggles with much of anything, is finding the language verb "cases" somewhat difficult to master. However, my son is tenacious about mastering any subject, and I know that with time he'll be an expert in cases and one day might even right his own Russian Cases Guide.
Thanks to one and all for your prayers, love and support of our missionary.
DeLisa
I did get some photos of the interior of the apartment and that was somewhat interesting.
The apartment is very nice and the kitchen looks quite new with new appliances(microwave and oven/stove). The 2 unique things in the apartment, a beautiful piano and a really funny looking home gym contraption that is actually bolted into the roof and floor of one the rooms. I'll try to e-mail these out later.
I'm really appreciative of the senior couple who serve in Chris' area. They have sent us the photo that we love and Chris' says that Sis. Reed always hosts district meeting and she cooks a meal for all of the elders that attend.
Investigator Updates: Dexter has made much progress this past week! He stopped drinking coffee came to church, and is currently praying about the Law of Chastity. He is an awesome investigator and Elder Russell sees him being baptized in the near future.
They were also finally able to go out contacting Sunday evening when Elder Rader seemed over his illness and they gave out 3 Book of Mormons which they will follow up on this week.
As far as the language goes, Elder Russell, who never struggles with much of anything, is finding the language verb "cases" somewhat difficult to master. However, my son is tenacious about mastering any subject, and I know that with time he'll be an expert in cases and one day might even right his own Russian Cases Guide.
Thanks to one and all for your prayers, love and support of our missionary.
DeLisa
11/1/10 Missionary Mom's Tender Mercy
This week I, the missionary mom, DeLisa, get the opportunity to share Chris' week with you and new Ukrainian lifestyle. This comes about because I found myself online on early this morning, his preparation day, when he logged into the computer at his internet cafe.
I just LOVE modern technology! What a blessing!!! I was able to ask Chris all kinds of questions about life in the Ukraine and his current investigators.
So here are some interesting tidbits.
--Chris & his comp. teach an advanced English class comprised of 30 students one evening a week.
--My son finally realizes how very cold it's going to get there this winter; he asked for me to mail him some thermals.
--Don't expect to get yummy French cheese in the Ukraine,
BUT Do expect to be able to consume large quantities of delicious inexpensive pasteries!
--Even when you spend 2 hours discussing the gospel with Jehovah Witnesses, they still won't enter the chapel doors.
--Ukrainian apartment buildings are "Soviet Plumbed" There are water pipes throughout and in the Winter, Hot water circulates and defintely warms up the apartments and in the Winter, cold water circulates and basically does nothing to cool down the apartments. Fans are a necessity.
--Elders who are computer savvy, ALWAYS do at least one stint in the office.(we're praying for Summer months because the office has AIR CONDITIONING)
--When your comp. is sick, practice your Russian "CASES"(verbs)
--For $l you can get super sized piece of pizza from an outside street vendor
--Ukrainian Twixt candy, is definetely not as tasty as the American version
On a more serious note, there was much concern, on the part of myself and other relations, regarding the "cigarette" experience of last week.
Chris' comp.'s mother and I have become friends on Missionary Moms.com. It seems that her son's gives more details in his letters home and she shared the following which explains in more detail what Chris and his comp. were doing last week.
Elder RAder, "Obedience to God's laws bring blessings. Obedience to the leaders which God has given you, even in counsel, or just taking a challenge, also brings blessings. This week, our Zone Leaders challenged us to throw away 31 cigarette butts. We did it, and then some. The whole day, we had been struggling. No one wanted to talk, and everyone was hurrying here and there, without so much as a kind word for us. The instant we gathered a bunch of these cigaretes and tossed them, a man came up to us. He was in his 50s, and told of how, back in Soviet times, he had had a chance to go to America. When offered the Book of Mormon, at first, he said, "i don't see the point in it." We asked him why not. He responded, "I don't believe in God, I believe in reason." We responded by giving himn a challenge, a scientific experiment, which if found in Moroni, chapter l0, verse 4. He paused, and said, "earlier was th time to travel, and go. But now, it's
about time that I thought about my sould, about God." His name is Anatoly Petrovich. He's a wonderful man, just sincere and kind. This same thing happened throughout the week. of all things, I figured that throwing away cigarette butts would be the last thing to help us build charity and love the people, but we've thrown away l,0l0 cigarettes, and from all of that, we've gained so many opportunities to teach, that it's rather ridiculous. Serving people is a good thing to do."
In addition, Chris and his comp ran into an American who is on break from Military training and is studying pharmacy. He was given apriesthood blessing wherein he felt the spirit and gained a testimony of the Holy Ghost, and is reading the Book of Mormon and he attended church on Sunday. Their goal is to baptize him within the month.
Many thanks from our family to yours for your love and support of our missionary!
Keep the prayers and dear elder letters coming!!
DeLisa
I just LOVE modern technology! What a blessing!!! I was able to ask Chris all kinds of questions about life in the Ukraine and his current investigators.
So here are some interesting tidbits.
--Chris & his comp. teach an advanced English class comprised of 30 students one evening a week.
--My son finally realizes how very cold it's going to get there this winter; he asked for me to mail him some thermals.
--Don't expect to get yummy French cheese in the Ukraine,
BUT Do expect to be able to consume large quantities of delicious inexpensive pasteries!
--Even when you spend 2 hours discussing the gospel with Jehovah Witnesses, they still won't enter the chapel doors.
--Ukrainian apartment buildings are "Soviet Plumbed" There are water pipes throughout and in the Winter, Hot water circulates and defintely warms up the apartments and in the Winter, cold water circulates and basically does nothing to cool down the apartments. Fans are a necessity.
--Elders who are computer savvy, ALWAYS do at least one stint in the office.(we're praying for Summer months because the office has AIR CONDITIONING)
--When your comp. is sick, practice your Russian "CASES"(verbs)
--For $l you can get super sized piece of pizza from an outside street vendor
--Ukrainian Twixt candy, is definetely not as tasty as the American version
On a more serious note, there was much concern, on the part of myself and other relations, regarding the "cigarette" experience of last week.
Chris' comp.'s mother and I have become friends on Missionary Moms.com. It seems that her son's gives more details in his letters home and she shared the following which explains in more detail what Chris and his comp. were doing last week.
Elder RAder, "Obedience to God's laws bring blessings. Obedience to the leaders which God has given you, even in counsel, or just taking a challenge, also brings blessings. This week, our Zone Leaders challenged us to throw away 31 cigarette butts. We did it, and then some. The whole day, we had been struggling. No one wanted to talk, and everyone was hurrying here and there, without so much as a kind word for us. The instant we gathered a bunch of these cigaretes and tossed them, a man came up to us. He was in his 50s, and told of how, back in Soviet times, he had had a chance to go to America. When offered the Book of Mormon, at first, he said, "i don't see the point in it." We asked him why not. He responded, "I don't believe in God, I believe in reason." We responded by giving himn a challenge, a scientific experiment, which if found in Moroni, chapter l0, verse 4. He paused, and said, "earlier was th time to travel, and go. But now, it's
about time that I thought about my sould, about God." His name is Anatoly Petrovich. He's a wonderful man, just sincere and kind. This same thing happened throughout the week. of all things, I figured that throwing away cigarette butts would be the last thing to help us build charity and love the people, but we've thrown away l,0l0 cigarettes, and from all of that, we've gained so many opportunities to teach, that it's rather ridiculous. Serving people is a good thing to do."
In addition, Chris and his comp ran into an American who is on break from Military training and is studying pharmacy. He was given apriesthood blessing wherein he felt the spirit and gained a testimony of the Holy Ghost, and is reading the Book of Mormon and he attended church on Sunday. Their goal is to baptize him within the month.
Many thanks from our family to yours for your love and support of our missionary!
Keep the prayers and dear elder letters coming!!
DeLisa
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