Sunday, August 29, 2010

Kyiv Temple Dedicated Today





















Sunday, the 29th of August the Kyiv Temple was dedicated. We attended the first session along with the Cornerstone Ceremony. We also attended the third session in the Temple. A couple of photos taken during the day.President Monson arrives at the temple site. He and President Uchtdorf and Elder Nelson were present at the Cultural Celebration the previous evening. It was quite a spectacular event. Nine different countries participated with all their colorful folk costumes, dances and songs. Lots of fun and lots of enegy.
While there we had a mini 18th Ward reunion from Utah State. It was great to see people we knew, and now have many more great friends.
My hero is Hanno Luschine, the temple architect and builder here in Kyiv. He is from Austria and was baptised by a good friend that retired in Cache Valley. He had his hands full to build such a beautifu building, and it will be a real monument for the future of Kyiv.
Mom and Dad

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Open House Memories

Some scenes from the Temple Open House.

The first picture is in the reception area with Temple President Galbraith and his wife. After the tour, the groups would assemble in the Cultural Hall and discuss whatever. There were Sister Missionaries that would mingle amoung them, answer questions and provide material on the temple or the Church. They were discouraged from distributin the Book of Mormon, but people were asked to fill out COmment Cards and request a return vist from the missionaries who would provide the BofM.


One of the news media covering the Open House is Carole Makita of KSL-5. We enjoyed talking with her and spending some time with her and her crew. They will be here for the dedication. She will do a story about a family in Utah and their daughter is serving a mission here in Kyiv. It was fun to introduce her to the missionary as we know her quite well.

One of the nicest surprises was that Dmitry and Olga Chvanov from Moscow came to Kyiv and spent several days. I worked with him on the RAMOS program for years and have spent quite a bit to time with he and his family. In addition to working with Dmitry, he served as our tour guide in Moscow and St. Petersburg when we all made that trip. We were able to take them on a tour of the temple. Although he had been to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, he had never been inside an LDS temple. The Russian Orthodox church has temples, but that is just another neam for a catherdral or church. We had a great time visiting with them. Unfortunately we could not spend more time with them, but they really enjoyed thier visit as they had not been to Kyiv before. They told us of all the good places to visit when we have some time. He is a great tour guide. I might have to bring them down again to guide us around.


Dmitry is the one who we took to Grays Lake and had him ride horses with Dad, me and Jeromy. We also went on the 4-wheelers up WIllow Creek, around Caribou and down Eagle Creek. It was one of the most beautiful fall days I had ever seen in Grays Lake. He really enjoyed it. Most of all, they were very surprised at what they saw in the temple. We talked quite a bit about the Church. One of the perceptions he had was that we had an agressive recruiting campaign in the missionaries. I agreed, but said the intent is help better the lives of people, and be a positive influence in each of the contries that have Church members. He understood that from his dealings with SDL over the years. All the Russians we worked with have the most respect for us, and know what we stand for. When he realized that we were not interested in building an empire, but wanted to make life better for individuals and the countries themselves, he was very impressed. He also was that there were no icons in the Temple, and the simplicity, beauty and feeling were unmatched in anything he had experienced. He is a good friend and we will continue to keep in touch.

We were able to take a few photographs during the Open House. It is a beautiful building and really stands out along the Ring Road around Kyiv.

More to come as time permits.
Mom and Dad

Kyiv Temple Open House


We just completed the Kyiv Temple Open House with some 13000 people touring the temple. Although fewer in number than most of the temples, the local leadership was quite plesed with the turnout. Many non-members passed through, plus it was a chance for the members from throughout Ukraine and other Eastern European contries to get together and renew acquaintences.

Local members really supported the Open House with a large turnout every day to conduct the tours. The dedication is set for Sunday the 29th of August, with the temple open for operation on the 30th.

We have had some interesting visitors, including the US Embasador to Ukraine, Carol Mikita of KSL, and the former Ukrainian president Victor Yushchenko's family.

We finally moved into our apartment that has air conditioning. What a blessing and relief! It has been over 100 degrees for several days in a row with nearly 100 percent humidity. It finally broke the last couple days of the Open House, and we were sure greatful.

Now that I re-learned how to add a blog, we will provide some updates during the next couple of days, plus send out a news letter.

Tom & Shauna