tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46993423018656825432024-02-07T18:18:18.198-08:00Tom and ShaunaAs we prepare for a new adventure beginning in May 2010, we will try to keep folks posted on what is happening in our lives.Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-15921658108873665802012-04-16T19:41:00.009-07:002012-04-16T20:34:39.256-07:00Homecoming<div><br /><div><br /><div>Well we finally left Kyiv, Ukraine and returned to the United States at the end of our mission. We spent nearly 22 months on our mission. We returned a week earlier than planned because our visa and apartment registration expired on 6 March, so we left Kyiv early the morning of the 6th. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqYCe1Ct-zuluX5aVPTfmS1iB14vpvxRfzfi-QJNSnx_A3cfWOCj7sqP0KNbDQoMxRjlQhkpOX0nf1YuhcGMlp-YhPQwnh-fc9XQ5BaJvE1TkRgKNqlpsO8L_rOfr3MWq1NU_q5lxpn4/s1600/P3075582.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732205980981951954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqYCe1Ct-zuluX5aVPTfmS1iB14vpvxRfzfi-QJNSnx_A3cfWOCj7sqP0KNbDQoMxRjlQhkpOX0nf1YuhcGMlp-YhPQwnh-fc9XQ5BaJvE1TkRgKNqlpsO8L_rOfr3MWq1NU_q5lxpn4/s320/P3075582.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We left some great friends in Ukraine. The picture on the left is of the last Senior Missionary gathering just b<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GBzsr61iRFt80pffTDiLFx6nrgj1ESbthbDrr3DnLx8b-jLo0WDn5voXD-WEtTlLHaGw9Bx2J0Fh6oxBT48R3pGaKrPfbTvrgPeftU8MuGHK9G9EOfmfFuzCsRGvTXAAv-Ki6hoo_4I/s1600/PC315455.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 260px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 189px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732197490951391922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GBzsr61iRFt80pffTDiLFx6nrgj1ESbthbDrr3DnLx8b-jLo0WDn5voXD-WEtTlLHaGw9Bx2J0Fh6oxBT48R3pGaKrPfbTvrgPeftU8MuGHK9G9EOfmfFuzCsRGvTXAAv-Ki6hoo_4I/s320/PC315455.JPG" /></a>efore our departure. They are the Miners, Robinsons, Mayberrys and Kamkas. We also left behind the Nances, our Public Affairs replacements, the Moores in Chernivtsi, and the Ewarts and Gregorys.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_Ryf7yBjlMUHRVQ8__zC5udHnOdDij83Y4qIPd7NoFM3VGaAfkQ1h8LcNj-6bAk5bWI7gquROkWaEn8eyfXJoKVKFt8JKYW8c-lG25hLa4QtA_CKaDdl8gkxpamnj5X0vnkR5jLSaK4/s1600/P2185530.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 204px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 165px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732199903427260066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_Ryf7yBjlMUHRVQ8__zC5udHnOdDij83Y4qIPd7NoFM3VGaAfkQ1h8LcNj-6bAk5bWI7gquROkWaEn8eyfXJoKVKFt8JKYW8c-lG25hLa4QtA_CKaDdl8gkxpamnj5X0vnkR5jLSaK4/s320/P2185530.JPG" /></a>The photo on the right is of the perviuos, past and new Branch Presidents of the Chernivtsi Branch. The Moores live in the city and are loved by all the members. Andrey Shevchuk presented us with a gift representing the great<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7rNhfnMXZtpRiRk3qr16E9veUJesQlNy_6SXSeY7TlA1I4gLTw3LJb3oZQ4Qh5qj4f9Qy8O-HoAmWKfsuKtuhRi-VgWSQ-oYq5rIq9XudxqEZsZEMfyLdzX2jGAoqz8iMEajf5pEb5U/s1600/P9185212.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 189px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732203526144174706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7rNhfnMXZtpRiRk3qr16E9veUJesQlNy_6SXSeY7TlA1I4gLTw3LJb3oZQ4Qh5qj4f9Qy8O-HoAmWKfsuKtuhRi-VgWSQ-oYq5rIq9XudxqEZsZEMfyLdzX2jGAoqz8iMEajf5pEb5U/s320/P9185212.JPG" /></a> friendships we developed with the Members. We found it hard to leave, but hope to return sometime in the future to renew our friendships. The photo below is of many of the Branch members. Quite a group.<br />This is the Branch Presidency that included Ruslan and Elder reynolds, a great team.</div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfhSAnxdYVZKbCjKslREVSVEVP8I_B908R5l3pp8U2Wk5fnRAZ7-kfgZcqDPlLdKN1h0WUDhn_O-uG1PLop9J0LvVL6WRWGzGvKQnQZe5kkfnfwTo1NKSTgMPXN3urtxGmrzQM8rvaJM/s1600/P2185528.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 218px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 204px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732202387821516114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfhSAnxdYVZKbCjKslREVSVEVP8I_B908R5l3pp8U2Wk5fnRAZ7-kfgZcqDPlLdKN1h0WUDhn_O-uG1PLop9J0LvVL6WRWGzGvKQnQZe5kkfnfwTo1NKSTgMPXN3urtxGmrzQM8rvaJM/s320/P2185528.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We flew to Washington, D.C. and spent a few days with Jeromy, Aylin and Braydon. We also spent a lovely evening with Kim and Jerry and their family. Jeromy and the kids gave us a great welcome at Dulles International when we emerged through customs.</div><br /><br /><div>More to come soon.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>T & S</div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-59930888130355168782011-10-09T03:50:00.000-07:002011-10-09T06:05:22.727-07:00Past Experience Comes in HandyTwice a year the Ukrainian Church leaders have asked that we conduct two service projects a year. This is about one Branch in Chernivtsi, which we attend on weekends (yes, that means 32 hours a week on a train to attend church).<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 159px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661445533500062210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYCXSmb_L_kebBqa59_DdY0ZbM_KbH31WDsYP523rSSsALXNAmhOvlMgn6ECV-woT9DR4PJW6uXkDIl8x-BuzeLTDMxLJQlp1kB627ZfCNXVnqCqBYAKf_7I2YCFNH74a4NgQvYMVZtc/s320/IMG_1341.jpg" />We helped the Chernivtsi Branch with their Helping Hands Service Project on 1 October. They chose to clean up a park, install some park benches, and repair and paint some playgound equipment. It was a great project that kept 21 people very busy for nearly 5 hours to complete.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661475861452423554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULQSYBz_S9JysDQNFhlYvJ_HiRMSEDvlQ7FAQEChoqtHu6MQuSmsXX6uxqhstRT9WDS1hrmgF6MEk7VbkmivV1sQA8Hv63a9UP_ZseQl2di6rw6JJlhSvJibCyDCjYB8NA0A2hwYSSTM/s320/IMG_1104.JPG" />In order to install the benches, we had to dig holes (very similar to post holes), place the bench in the holes, mix up a batch of cement and fill the holes so the benchers would not wonder off and remain upright! So this phot is to prove that I still know how to dig post holes in hard ground.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661476399110927186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SctJjpO4ybYsrVyT7bQT3Aw7LXBdCLp4DjUR2aJFLdmIoZrMUkh9_140nCBJo7vhASA5sklSle9hc-2h0jfFkFSRP6scerM_7cfY7qq66GV7JjohYFvNTWScD9pjyPg9dLpm_R2_RrY/s320/IMG_1248.JPG" /> <br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>There is an old Soviet Mig in the park, so we called it Mig Park since no one else had a better name for it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We will try to do a littel better on keeping our blog updated.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tom and Shauna</div></div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-15795240141677486052011-10-09T03:23:00.000-07:002011-10-09T03:50:34.172-07:00Carpathian Mountians in UkraineGreetings from the Western part of Ukraine.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIzaJFNczKvIn7OG1km12OkAinujBx7tCiMmlPH2yhNRQCURczLbEbyhQPmxGZu9006Euu88LCWUyUGYOlXr2qaEEMtE8cJoN5QBYc00f6OlEeHL_BvUde39_LRk7QuXWqZu2zHo04q0/s1600/IMG_1372.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661442342948392002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIzaJFNczKvIn7OG1km12OkAinujBx7tCiMmlPH2yhNRQCURczLbEbyhQPmxGZu9006Euu88LCWUyUGYOlXr2qaEEMtE8cJoN5QBYc00f6OlEeHL_BvUde39_LRk7QuXWqZu2zHo04q0/s320/IMG_1372.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYVC1VDmeJQPU1wTlNXSQB8XNDsutlUCeQS0Rt6kfwxobg6NDP1flqIrGrvJpJgHGLj0A7L7VFkQ7pW5Kobr4KzASrNb6LbXjs_Xl_yuhoIHqPft1r9YRtwi3nf9-fC_n8TlbbH3iTMc/s1600/IMG_1348.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661441987227545378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYVC1VDmeJQPU1wTlNXSQB8XNDsutlUCeQS0Rt6kfwxobg6NDP1flqIrGrvJpJgHGLj0A7L7VFkQ7pW5Kobr4KzASrNb6LbXjs_Xl_yuhoIHqPft1r9YRtwi3nf9-fC_n8TlbbH3iTMc/s320/IMG_1348.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>We just returned from several days in the west region of Ukraine, well<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcmVnLMqecQOaDH2HMddIFRL8A9_XrSCNnMGIRGpJOzTTdO_CGgAobX8Ybs4K7o0JqHURUAmxEZB3duh-D1Lx_s-wXsLHERDGKzP5GYZ6OPG3A0s2zq3gX89pQz1-5-JwcELidw05fX4/s1600/IMG_1354.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 210px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 141px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661441361305621698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcmVnLMqecQOaDH2HMddIFRL8A9_XrSCNnMGIRGpJOzTTdO_CGgAobX8Ybs4K7o0JqHURUAmxEZB3duh-D1Lx_s-wXsLHERDGKzP5GYZ6OPG3A0s2zq3gX89pQz1-5-JwcELidw05fX4/s320/IMG_1354.jpg" /></a> know as the Carpathian Mountains. We had heard of the Carpathians since we arrived in Ukraine, as everyone talked about THE PLACE to go on vacation for rest, relaxation, beautiful scenery and fresh, clean air. They were right in all cases. The area once belonged to Poland, Hungary, Austria, etc. over the centuries. Thus it has a very distinct European flavor in the cities and landscape.</div><br /><br /><div>The highest mountain is about 6200 feet in elevation.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661440918534760082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhykbLGU9ZdPDBoi3_OpzBjbq65WMm1Vip8WnBbHSKXLhEvQagIVcPr0LOJYol9KZra6z2wuMk87pvYh_TXqJfPmm5dZkyvSYev9iVjFda4Pc5N6pu6TP8nI2w3uS4uDZa_hQYD7BRA8/s320/IMG_1422.jpg" /> The mountain streams were clear with lots of evergreen trees. We were there the first week in October, with the leaves just starting to turn into fall colors. The mountain roads and small farms reminded us of Austria. Our trusted driver, Vlad, drove all the way to Lviv to pick us up and guide us on our trip. We did spend a few days working with various Branches so it was not all vacation!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 143px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661440148396324642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoGRVi5QACrQTMPg2H65op4uBfy0_YgrUxEzSSrLowSE-iodj2ZI8OPW31tB_cxQJe2Mjx3sU3jDlc2vAjaWGOQDRpkuubaKRyv7a03UaJ6QfFue4-oPYcGAMBqRvIiej_omVmNKcRks/s320/IMG_1437.jpg" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjwsBgWePfMzHGlmCWwlwmNfzSKx2yiM0_4gwem-Lu1ELZREa9kutlZzUmd6ZqxEXYd30x6mir7GQKoTgGUijkRVgQ06v7IQ4bsrj3p-FaW9tLQ6zvarp0ypgB7ayP9Rvz8iU7GfXskU/s1600/IMG_1444.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 265px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 207px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661440409476667170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjwsBgWePfMzHGlmCWwlwmNfzSKx2yiM0_4gwem-Lu1ELZREa9kutlZzUmd6ZqxEXYd30x6mir7GQKoTgGUijkRVgQ06v7IQ4bsrj3p-FaW9tLQ6zvarp0ypgB7ayP9Rvz8iU7GfXskU/s320/IMG_1444.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>One highlight of the trip was the Egg Painting Museum in Kolomyia (which is actually close to Chernivtsi on the east side of the Carpatians). There we saw how the artists painted the eggs that are so prevalent in Ukraine. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tom and Shauna</div></div></div></div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-34316765234673204842011-09-16T02:03:00.000-07:002011-10-09T03:21:45.055-07:00Celebrate Anniversary in Istanbul TurkeyHi,Shauna and I celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary in Istanbul, Turkey. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rikYGueEdpIMD3zDnicmPbhv26HTsDngkkx1c99vVxxsl5K-wzeYfnRqY5KR2ba488mgsUxBUWUCB9Y6VTpR1YAgIxKr0Vpcr8nlRD3mrC76wm7gcIagn2wDIec9nz-CXfqi4uJtvx4/s1600/IMG_1102.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 182px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661426610836554514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rikYGueEdpIMD3zDnicmPbhv26HTsDngkkx1c99vVxxsl5K-wzeYfnRqY5KR2ba488mgsUxBUWUCB9Y6VTpR1YAgIxKr0Vpcr8nlRD3mrC76wm7gcIagn2wDIec9nz-CXfqi4uJtvx4/s320/IMG_1102.jpg" /></a>We spent 5 days in Istanbul and found out why so many people like to vacation in Turkey, at least in Istanbul. Istanbul, formerly Constanople, is located on tw<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJBQOxDNTvHl-BdAUvAX064YtJlT12JCsRWnn3cKPt0K_YSNKDLHc-9PJGfe_RmOJ5vvlKBsn6kXKy5PWEAJNajI7555dBGCrIoSOppvsiCo4X_aGIgKZ6wjYLCxtnqp-TcvaV2lOZyE/s1600/IMG_1088.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 176px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 128px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661427085469049762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJBQOxDNTvHl-BdAUvAX064YtJlT12JCsRWnn3cKPt0K_YSNKDLHc-9PJGfe_RmOJ5vvlKBsn6kXKy5PWEAJNajI7555dBGCrIoSOppvsiCo4X_aGIgKZ6wjYLCxtnqp-TcvaV2lOZyE/s320/IMG_1088.jpg" /></a>o continents, Europe and Asia with the Bosphorous waterway separating the two parts.<br />We visited Roman ruins, many Mosques, several museums and a lot of shopping. Well known is the Grand Bazarr of Istanbul as well as the Egypt (spice) Bazarr. They sell all sorts of things, clothing, food, candies, and everything else imaginable. <br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-Apl397wn4GzCBBQoMTYxI3hiVJz8XSjXHhzD7ZQpbt1m7de6VhCf42JsU1AAdbn7VDwzqg0hyphenhyphen610JDea5Kt7ZmIr43rQ3CEqcgUzyHbcabAyXN3oqDaBuZNy_FRkyYO9YXHenuJcaM/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 179px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 135px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652883995301283698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-Apl397wn4GzCBBQoMTYxI3hiVJz8XSjXHhzD7ZQpbt1m7de6VhCf42JsU1AAdbn7VDwzqg0hyphenhyphen610JDea5Kt7ZmIr43rQ3CEqcgUzyHbcabAyXN3oqDaBuZNy_FRkyYO9YXHenuJcaM/s320/IMG_1096.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3yoZIR-oJpo-XQbs8xhgtXaH2Q3ZTOXFKTUo5K6WSfPALTpOtGKzruDf0D672jn1HsB-Aksqmx9_d7BbdKSYhoxIw0BYSFWqRpuicRkSQlVhr6hMCwRr18PoXt2zlSPKzfU2J6gfeJI/s1600/IMG_1164.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 159px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 118px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661428794873141442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3yoZIR-oJpo-XQbs8xhgtXaH2Q3ZTOXFKTUo5K6WSfPALTpOtGKzruDf0D672jn1HsB-Aksqmx9_d7BbdKSYhoxIw0BYSFWqRpuicRkSQlVhr6hMCwRr18PoXt2zlSPKzfU2J6gfeJI/s320/IMG_1164.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>We attended the Annual Public Affairs Training meeting for East Europe. We enjoyed meeting all Public Affairs specialists from each of the East European countries and missions. It was a nice time with lots of fun memories. We now know why so many travel agents suggested that one of the best places to visit as a tourist is Turkey. We did not get outside of Istanbul, but maybe next time!</div>Tom and Shauna<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-39218765075214800162011-07-28T12:13:00.000-07:002011-07-28T12:33:50.961-07:00Growing Food in Space and Ukraine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlxXEP9PsfjAX3eyydQ55IsYmx1Kc7o1ZsM-9Bt_dDQzBVqdW3SVeyZQlmW-S0YZS_t_3IVmxKwDmjcMm7jamzYLI-Yx7XCF1EIkuX6nOozE_KhH-K8FDjLCIjIe4ackHpPAS7wSLh5o/s1600/IMG_0943.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634483982651229442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlxXEP9PsfjAX3eyydQ55IsYmx1Kc7o1ZsM-9Bt_dDQzBVqdW3SVeyZQlmW-S0YZS_t_3IVmxKwDmjcMm7jamzYLI-Yx7XCF1EIkuX6nOozE_KhH-K8FDjLCIjIe4ackHpPAS7wSLh5o/s320/IMG_0943.jpg" /></a> We were invited to joing the Mayor of the City of Zhutomyr, Ukraine for a tour of the Korolov Space Museum. Sergey Korolov was the mastermind behing all of the Soviet Union's space efforts. In fact, it is his designed Progress Transport vehicle which is the only way astronauts can get to the Internation Space Station since the Shuttle has been retired.<br />The museum is well done and represents many of the Russian and USSR achievements in space over the years. Korolov was born in Zhutomyr and they made a museum of the house where he was born and across the street is the actual space museum. I was quite surprised when one of the poster exhibits was an experiment showing the growth of plants in space, first on the MIR space station and then on the ISS. Then I recognized the plant growth chambers in the photos taken on the ISS. They were the modules designed and built at the Space Dynamics Laboratory. They were then transported to Moscow for testing and then launched on the Progress to the ISS. Russian astronauts conducted all the experiments and ate the food that was produced.<br />When I told the Mayor that I worked at SDL, who made the modules and cooperated with the Russians, he became very excited. He aske if I would come back for an interview and write up our history of the program so that the Museum can do a story and display on our cooperative efforts (he was not aware than this was a cooperative effort with the U.S.) They want to grow the international cooperation part of the Museum, and this was a perfect fit. We are looking foward to the follow up interview and story.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TyUG1jsTjMJg9Z_2TsvD_f7yayulf12YFu4c2gr8y26zn4nSLAefcmhs3s1HW_RlpxmyJoaS-Kec54QCX6bo3PH6_jcOr0V90jLLW0gMf1o4wZMfVR1e_0LLIKBeVtnAKWPZPXRhpak/s1600/IMG_0952.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634483889045517202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TyUG1jsTjMJg9Z_2TsvD_f7yayulf12YFu4c2gr8y26zn4nSLAefcmhs3s1HW_RlpxmyJoaS-Kec54QCX6bo3PH6_jcOr0V90jLLW0gMf1o4wZMfVR1e_0LLIKBeVtnAKWPZPXRhpak/s320/IMG_0952.jpg" /></a> Then we had a chance to tour the Nation's largest producer of quail eggs and quail meat in Eastern Europe, maybe even the world. They have about 40,000 quail laying 30,000 eggs a day. They provide quail eggs for all of Ukraine. <br />We were fortunate to arrive just as about 20,000 quail chicks were hatching. They only eigh about 9 grams when hatched, and are an eating machine. For the first few days while they tripple their weight and size, they like loud noizes. We could whistle and they would come running to you. I guess that is instinct for where the food is. It is amazing how fast they grow and then begine to lay eggs. This photo is of thousands of two day old chicks. They reminded me of a floor covered with cockroaches moving for hiding when the light is turned on. It was fascinating and extremely educational. They gave us 100 fresh eggs that we will boil and put in a salad. They do taste just like chicken eggs, but the shells are several shades of brown kind of like a paint horse.<br />Having fun in Ukraine.Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-68851933539470480792011-07-28T11:40:00.000-07:002011-07-28T12:12:13.699-07:00I Know Where Babies Come From!I have now learned where babies come from. This answer came to me as I was gazing out the window of our long Marshrutka rides from Kyiv to Zhutomyr, Ukraine. In fairy tales and old stories, I learned about storks. It ws rumored they brought babies to families. I thought they were just mythological and did not really exist.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>But, trip after trip to Zhutomyr I saw several very large gray nests on top of power and telephone poles not too far from the road. Often there were several in a row, one on every pole it seemed. There must have been 50 or more over a 40 mile stretch. At first I thought they were ornamental, man-made to look like large bird nests. They were huge, even bigger than an eagle's nest! I knew eagles would not build a nest in populated areas, so that was out. They were close to houses and barns. I could not imagine any bird willing to build a nest that close to human activity. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634482759859736514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRieKIqgrvj2bovYiqfeu51pKzwIvwbuTFXkoaig6pBTepMreGbROWnDg2-jkmGKr-DTH9dXn27pTOUQUmsofIfiJkNOxBtRUruLT_hAIrS8KkL1jLaOjH18euVeo2yb0VpA1Cqzg5DBw/s320/Stork4.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div>Then, one day I saw movement in one of the nests. Upon closer examination, I saw two large white and black birds, one standing on one leg and the other kind of dancing around. This got my attention, so I looked closer at the upcoming nests. Then I saw several young birds in a nest, with one of its parents. They seemed to be mostly beak with a wooly covering on thier bodies. I found out they were the young ones being raised by their parents. The parents looked like the "fictional" storks that I read in those old storybooks when I was a kid. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634482363062057506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeyP5YqhQD__TnrzUI867C2AZiTxK52lNAyCSIx4WI0jwhPjKcK60oV24ge5Vwgf8DzN1hGEqRAterOUB3uHkMgmRNP8IOyXqzEfsohh8ed10iYahM8u4UkiGXhE8gDPp8L4Io23gqxk/s320/Stork3.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div>Then I saw in the fields hundreds of these birds looking for food. They were not as thick as seagulls on a Utah field, but there were hundreds foraging on short grassy fields. When I asked a native what kind of bird they were, he said the English word was <strong>"STORK".</strong> So they really did exist and they were not just in a fairy tale.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634481459253073074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqERkz1j5b1B_AcIRpwAt5lCd_sLpPs7GN18SahciWNbCLB6Gh2IJzu4roE8e3iBHaPuhe5NTVsjNDwF0nIAnm38mloMYTKcl1zB5W0pPRrPmeQT2rjhsQl379tHaE_AEh3b_7VOsGzvI/s320/Stork2.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div>Well, if storks are real, then the rest of the tale must be true as well. Thus, I determined that babies come from Ukraine because that is where storks live, waiting their turn to pick up and deliver babies. Just don't ask me how they know where to deliver them. That is someone else's problem to find out! </div><br /><div>Interesting notes from Ukraine</div></div></div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-76284610067835762452011-07-13T10:35:00.000-07:002011-07-13T22:46:43.416-07:00Summer in UkraineGreetings,<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>Our new mission president, Jorg Klebingat, replaced Lane Steinagel as he and his family arrived on 30 June. We miss the Steinagels, but the Klebingat's are already well adjusted and accustomed to Ukraine since they lived here for about 4 years. He took President Hinckley to view the temple site location options and recounted to us the selection process in which the site was selected, and where the temple now stands. They will do great as we all enter this new chapter of the Kyiv Ukraine Mission.</div><br /><div>We are preparing for the next All Ukraine Helping Hands Day, or "Day of Service" as expressed by President Eyring during April Conference. We had a great turnout for ther Helping Hands Day in April and hope to duplicate it in October. In addition to building Branch unity, the media covered many of the projects and reported on them. It is great exposure for the Church as we serve the communities we live in. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnG7jiUI8vw2jBqyjk1rwKygm5t6GoGn_BGCMZ9rFiInaKHK7Ej45bpQcl8I7DnqazYTshD1a3pnnukKByaa8AzxCNrlcR8ISgXX05Y3tiSxzLVvW66nBBgvk_isL4lqbDBglWCA8cSbc/s1600/P1014703.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 246px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 123px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628901698825572210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnG7jiUI8vw2jBqyjk1rwKygm5t6GoGn_BGCMZ9rFiInaKHK7Ej45bpQcl8I7DnqazYTshD1a3pnnukKByaa8AzxCNrlcR8ISgXX05Y3tiSxzLVvW66nBBgvk_isL4lqbDBglWCA8cSbc/s320/P1014703.JPG" /></a><br />We recently spent several days in Crimea where we participated in several Humanitarian Service project closing ceremonies. All the recipient organizations were extremely greatful for LDS Charities support. Typically the assistance is for orphanages, handicapped schools, homeless shelters, homes for the elderly and hospitals. Blankets, desks and dorm furniture, a washing machine and kitchen appliances go a long way to help those in need.<br /><br /><div>Whilei n C<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTi0F-s1yyRxOyxqZY0x8cNiQXuxGsBnkmoXqMEp0cI-aBVOcZTkteJV_1je__B5mgCYD1zsXeXGvQTBsuzkjZKjfKMYQRnclwonzub7q3WN8VodQeXKzwzB5Ug0hCUd2z7AcCdRd5GqM/s1600/IMG_0813.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 132px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628898922275823858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTi0F-s1yyRxOyxqZY0x8cNiQXuxGsBnkmoXqMEp0cI-aBVOcZTkteJV_1je__B5mgCYD1zsXeXGvQTBsuzkjZKjfKMYQRnclwonzub7q3WN8VodQeXKzwzB5Ug0hCUd2z7AcCdRd5GqM/s320/IMG_0813.jpg" /></a>rimea, we took advantage of the long daylight to spend a few minutes near the Black Sea. One very interesting site was the old Soviet submarine tunnel that housed several submarines while being repaired or prepared for sea duty. Built in the 1950's, they were completely hidden from later satellite images. Now they conduct tours though the tunnel and have a nice museum.<br /><br /><br />We also had a chance to test out the Black Sea beaches. They are very nice, especially as you go further eas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bNgy1STCZYA7c29RqDr6HGYWl2slpCP97DoMISRGXqJsRKseexz2_fsYevKQWJ8jR8FYFPdcxkKgXnyeQNOeZ0mAOU9NpiKx-5woTS5iJCn1KTT6c6XNUW5nXBC7WrN2tyM0eVyMGcg/s1600/P1014805.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 177px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 140px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628899416363309074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bNgy1STCZYA7c29RqDr6HGYWl2slpCP97DoMISRGXqJsRKseexz2_fsYevKQWJ8jR8FYFPdcxkKgXnyeQNOeZ0mAOU9NpiKx-5woTS5iJCn1KTT6c6XNUW5nXBC7WrN2tyM0eVyMGcg/s320/P1014805.JPG" /></a>t along the Crimean Peninsula. It has been a cool and somewhat rainy spring, which means the sea temperature is a little lower than they would like. But it was OK for us in getting our feet wet.<br /></div><br /><div>We are in a time of uncertainty. If the Church does not replace us, then we have a lot of cleanout to do with our apartment since it serves as our office. If they replace us, then we have to clean up our computers so that they make sense to other people. I never was good a putting together a filing system, and the same goes for a folder system. </div><br /><div>More to come later.</div><br /><div>Tom and Shauna<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-49340034132807092732011-06-25T06:25:00.000-07:002011-06-25T07:41:19.034-07:00Update from Kyiv<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkUNztTf8mKsU4Qhh8dhgd2MiL6-SMfTSLss_54EoYqlj0PShnD4nyAGyZS3RkLTKERon9wpy9gp424JLRBCfckrnVqruqzq2MdJo-0bbayyM5JRlJgTKvhjljskw4OmZSBegkqdKB40/s1600/Kyiv+Temple+night.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622158916794287026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkUNztTf8mKsU4Qhh8dhgd2MiL6-SMfTSLss_54EoYqlj0PShnD4nyAGyZS3RkLTKERon9wpy9gp424JLRBCfckrnVqruqzq2MdJo-0bbayyM5JRlJgTKvhjljskw4OmZSBegkqdKB40/s320/Kyiv+Temple+night.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>From visiting the temple site to participating in Humanitarian project closings, we seem to be quite occupied here in Kyiv. We have been working with the Ukraine National Public Affairs Council and the Regional Speacilists to put together a plan for next year.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsb9OsE74kMoOc2n7HDxSvNNTBVcK1d8soiANXL6RpMo1fF9y3ucJkVHpFwPFg2FCCWWjR14qs7SNXBF_Tr8WF7OcZ92Nppe0sNjocLDteo43GhON4uzbNtMnFRC8oo5DS37OTDAh5weE/s1600/IMG_0676.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622149866940783538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsb9OsE74kMoOc2n7HDxSvNNTBVcK1d8soiANXL6RpMo1fF9y3ucJkVHpFwPFg2FCCWWjR14qs7SNXBF_Tr8WF7OcZ92Nppe0sNjocLDteo43GhON4uzbNtMnFRC8oo5DS37OTDAh5weE/s320/IMG_0676.JPG" /></a> Long range planning is relatively new to most of the people we work with, and it has been fun to help them see a vision for the future. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This lovely lady with the hat works with young children that have medical problems. She and her family do "performances" three times a week to the children and their parents. They were asked by the local adiminstration to take these childern from various hospitals and build up their outlook on life. Many will have struggles throughout their life, so instilling a little joy and making them smile is a tremendous accomplishment. They are to be commended for thier work, and their dedication.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are planning to spend a few days in the Crimea covering Humanitarian Project closings and meeting with leaders to help them in their plans for the upcoming year. When we leave, we hope to have an approved plan in place for them to execute next year. One of the events will be two Helping Hands Days, one in the spring in April and the other in the fall. Every member is encouraged to join in on service projects during those days. The last one, and first one for that matter, was on 2 April. It was a tremendous success. There were many uplifting stories and a common desire to do these on regular basis. It so happens that it fell right in line with the day of service talks of General Conference.<br /><br />We did spend 4 days in Chernivtsi, a city about the size of Ogden in teh southwestern part of Ukraine. (this is the 15 hour over-night train ride each way). We were able to spend time with Branch members and also participated in a Humanitarian project for wheelchair repairs.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We think there may be a couple designated to replace us. If that is the case, we will be able to determine our departure date. Theya re still awaiting their call, so things can change easily.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Bye for now.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tom and Shauna<br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-44491169507972380942011-05-28T00:42:00.001-07:002011-05-28T10:48:52.687-07:00Riga, Latvia on the Baltic Sea<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJtk9VUh86O0kMmG_Hz5PuwT4RnW7sXspcuo-qA9LxrL_D7c5eLhISNPq5EaBdHxlpAzQq2_a5PBPKY-j-I8W3fKJpaeSg8vYUVOCBgV7HzgzkqxYdkwxN3wP6HKgC8WyVWdOop4ugP4/s1600/1200px-Vecriga_view_from_saint_peter_church_2011.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 396px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 68px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611825039936280866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJtk9VUh86O0kMmG_Hz5PuwT4RnW7sXspcuo-qA9LxrL_D7c5eLhISNPq5EaBdHxlpAzQq2_a5PBPKY-j-I8W3fKJpaeSg8vYUVOCBgV7HzgzkqxYdkwxN3wP6HKgC8WyVWdOop4ugP4/s320/1200px-Vecriga_view_from_saint_peter_church_2011.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUuHiyWqu33WLwLpHNMjdKkaTE5J-DD72O4Lb_-5IsSYpPizG1oI8hdj2KDx8z2SilRpCtQjEzT9TMrbgGeS-cijVTiI6KIs8N8vkMiYbRW5Ey_iP520ktDJY52spkqFwjUW2TkybVuY/s1600/P1014610a.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611824879647943874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUuHiyWqu33WLwLpHNMjdKkaTE5J-DD72O4Lb_-5IsSYpPizG1oI8hdj2KDx8z2SilRpCtQjEzT9TMrbgGeS-cijVTiI6KIs8N8vkMiYbRW5Ey_iP520ktDJY52spkqFwjUW2TkybVuY/s320/P1014610a.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZFU9GKfZdmvAlfV9EOY71WdnERe0Hz8eu2b0IoUiaueilnhzagM2wY4GWfgez0RYJNnAkM1sEO0guBdYjalWsy2w7bhRCaIBmofErrEc9RtHvrEfPFUEoA_-Fbrc8Xt5JWgAgZuVa1w/s1600/P1014605.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611824625280248546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZFU9GKfZdmvAlfV9EOY71WdnERe0Hz8eu2b0IoUiaueilnhzagM2wY4GWfgez0RYJNnAkM1sEO0guBdYjalWsy2w7bhRCaIBmofErrEc9RtHvrEfPFUEoA_-Fbrc8Xt5JWgAgZuVa1w/s320/P1014605.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXw0jkbwWGtWlSptk49vqIpNyScS2SIVOsg7b08kVLNklh7ykxxUyRjZVSkjgFOxK5CEnn9Y75g0DkQ8M-aspr2T5my-8iRpR7QR626vaHXHjj7EGpCdBmyzg7K4bUBbcPccfysirqqs/s1600/P1014624.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611682039264706114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXw0jkbwWGtWlSptk49vqIpNyScS2SIVOsg7b08kVLNklh7ykxxUyRjZVSkjgFOxK5CEnn9Y75g0DkQ8M-aspr2T5my-8iRpR7QR626vaHXHjj7EGpCdBmyzg7K4bUBbcPccfysirqqs/s320/P1014624.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t1siYX-BD5QxNGf6e9f6brpWi80PpBw0Grc9eeGe1guLKHj9Jj6l6i4B5PRfCdez2R2rx3Al9Ila60pJG-u7-L5kg0Ced6ABobyS_7i6ZXL8OufFmKmSGWHgx5JkRAKDkXub4QHpZsU/s1600/P1014636.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611681660234138674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t1siYX-BD5QxNGf6e9f6brpWi80PpBw0Grc9eeGe1guLKHj9Jj6l6i4B5PRfCdez2R2rx3Al9Ila60pJG-u7-L5kg0Ced6ABobyS_7i6ZXL8OufFmKmSGWHgx5JkRAKDkXub4QHpZsU/s320/P1014636.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>We enjoyed a lovely trip to Riga, Latvia where we met with the Public Affairs directors for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Riga is a European city that reminded us of Stockholm with a variety of different European architectures. It is at the mouth of the Daugaua River as it opens to the Baltic Sea. With more than 700,000 people, it is the largets city in the Baltic countries. They speak Latvian with many who also speak Russian. Many also speak English and it seems to be used more as time as that is becoming the common language for the European Uniion, which. Their currency is LATs, but will eventually become the Euro.</div><br /><div>Even though it was May, the Baltic Sea was quite inviting. There is a large Bay that enables the water to stay quite warm and less salty. We enjoyed walking on the beautiful sandy beaches. </div><br /><div>During WWII, over 100,000 Jews were killed in a concentration camp on the outskirts of Riga. They now have a huge memorial park and museum to rememeber what took place. </div><br /><div>We were treated to huge palaces built for royalty as summer palaces. They were gorgeous and the gruonds were spectacular. The lilacs were in full bloom and one did not want to leave the gardens tehy were so pretty.</div><br /><div>Although small, Latvia was a very pleasant surprise on how modern it is, its beautiful and colorful architecture, how clean and upkept everything was, and what a great place to go as a tourist. We would go there in a heartbeat.</div><br /><div>Our host was the Baltic Mission Public Affairs Director, Inara Jegina, who also runs a travel service. So we were well taken care of and saw lots of beautiful sites, including castles, restored palaces, new and renovated sity buildings and structures, and a gorgeous city. We even managed to obtain a Monopoly game in Latvian. Photos are of the city, the Russian palace built 200 years ago, a view of the old town.</div><br /><div>Tom and Shauna</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-84953463567307005812011-05-02T11:17:00.000-07:002011-05-02T12:05:08.450-07:00Sofia, BulgariaWe made a short trip to Sofia, Bulgaria to obtain a new visa to complete our mission. While there <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Il0gX3ielKDW0elLtv9-B2sbulRRBaeo3_Y1ZChvCEHb92ijMVwC93gqzF4qLKD7Dolp8Q1uvu60RPUshrlIi4Fn67UJvxFcxJ3K24QTIGxHh-0LK4piCtTO1ODMwd2XN9UdzoS0Ea0/s1600/IMG_0282.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602185721412235538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Il0gX3ielKDW0elLtv9-B2sbulRRBaeo3_Y1ZChvCEHb92ijMVwC93gqzF4qLKD7Dolp8Q1uvu60RPUshrlIi4Fn67UJvxFcxJ3K24QTIGxHh-0LK4piCtTO1ODMwd2XN9UdzoS0Ea0/s320/IMG_0282.jpg" /></a> we took in a few sights of the city. Bulgaria is in the European Union, and was more westward looking that what we have experienced in Ukraine. At the same time, that means things cost more ther than in Ukraine.<br /><br />This is a picture of a square in downtown Sofia in which there were hundreds of bears, all the same size and shape, but painted to represent each country in the world. Altough we did not look too closely, we assumed the bear painted as the Statue of Liberty represented the USA.<br />There were many very colorful and artistically painted bear statues.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RgvStL5GIDCwPaA0hicLly-p8KoYyADBsrgXLu-0uJMsD47WYakXh7e_mcCl6i3PiDX4OLIyWYE2wzBZsyxIGRF52_o-r-mW-EckzFyBK6i-W5zpS6kM_rkFpuAwWY1Un2e7dR1ygfM/s1600/IMG_0280.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602185629616134770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RgvStL5GIDCwPaA0hicLly-p8KoYyADBsrgXLu-0uJMsD47WYakXh7e_mcCl6i3PiDX4OLIyWYE2wzBZsyxIGRF52_o-r-mW-EckzFyBK6i-W5zpS6kM_rkFpuAwWY1Un2e7dR1ygfM/s320/IMG_0280.jpg" /></a><br />The biggest cathedral is known as the Gold Dome, which is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and represents SOfia as a substantial landmark.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDXeDCm9Ykqk3GGFZOSjIeETaxXVLVU9_wzknJBLOuxKeGjBvJOOCuPL5VrqQK33EHVoPpkr0MyKx3z_l1Y_ilkhT5tBC6WcTwFhUFf-i-7nw4YT6P5lFPxEckr7-rvhku53dJ1Fshas/s1600/IMG_0273.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602185421834147986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDXeDCm9Ykqk3GGFZOSjIeETaxXVLVU9_wzknJBLOuxKeGjBvJOOCuPL5VrqQK33EHVoPpkr0MyKx3z_l1Y_ilkhT5tBC6WcTwFhUFf-i-7nw4YT6P5lFPxEckr7-rvhku53dJ1Fshas/s320/IMG_0273.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One of our (my) highlights was a visit to the Bulgarian Military Museum. There were lots of military hardware that stems from the Soviet times.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTOZC1T9-To77vKF4If2bgU8Q88GaZ35TfpAIAuQBn4SqY0xeiwlHtRnwXKTORpqLVWMQj5CwKB5VYWtCKAMQppQ-DIyGmAUMm3DWSlRXkNXDdoTkRlCarHAo1wPimF_SgLKAQ-5GVaw/s1600/IMG_0253+%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602185173269183090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTOZC1T9-To77vKF4If2bgU8Q88GaZ35TfpAIAuQBn4SqY0xeiwlHtRnwXKTORpqLVWMQj5CwKB5VYWtCKAMQppQ-DIyGmAUMm3DWSlRXkNXDdoTkRlCarHAo1wPimF_SgLKAQ-5GVaw/s320/IMG_0253+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a> One was the illusive Scud missile that was used by Iraq in the first Gulf war against Israel and the Allied forces.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Most impressive, however, was the lengthy history of Bulgaria and the excellent displays that were housed in a 4 story museum. Bulgaria was at the crossroads of many invaders and/or occupiers of their land. Located in the Balkins they have been subjected to the Russians, Ottoman Empire, Romans, Hungarians, Germans, etc., etc. They sided with Germany in WWI and WWII, but ended up on the Allied side in WWII. They were a satellite country in the Soviet Union days, but not part of the Soviet Union. They do claim that they protected all the Jews that lived in Bulgaria from the Nazi exterminations.</div><br /><br /><div>We enjoyed our brief visit to Bulgaria. We even found a Bulgarian Monopoly game and an Anti-Monopoly game. It will be fun to see what that means.<br /><br />Bye for now. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tom and Shauna<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-45329529368400730762011-04-06T12:20:00.000-07:002011-04-06T12:49:28.797-07:00All Ukraine Helping Hands Day 2 April 2011<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ukraine contributed more than 3,000 hours of community service on 2 April 2011 as part of the first ever All Ukraine Helping Hands Day. Some 50 communities were served by over 1100 volunteers throughout Ukraine. Projects included children’s playground repair and painting, repairing park benches, riverbank and park clean-up and many more things. Wearing the distinguishable Helping Ha<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17PjUVePdJeHCxILSuC1PRmeRmaVq6-TUJbc6mHEwSYMcQ_mvLDhu5tKI5SDrevaJmv_K26-s-txmxxKCiwF4CvyxaPEzc03gSK5rgIMc1Ez_hky46IvpjC3wXlIkduqfa7x_d70ouM4/s1600/198426_1830243948174_1002607684_32125444_5039923_n.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 179px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592554635996340370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17PjUVePdJeHCxILSuC1PRmeRmaVq6-TUJbc6mHEwSYMcQ_mvLDhu5tKI5SDrevaJmv_K26-s-txmxxKCiwF4CvyxaPEzc03gSK5rgIMc1Ez_hky46IvpjC3wXlIkduqfa7x_d70ouM4/s320/198426_1830243948174_1002607684_32125444_5039923_n.jpg" /></a>nds white and yellow vests, volunteers worked with community leaders and other organizations to make Ukraine a better place to live. </div><br /><div>In Chernivtsi, 30 volunteers refurbished the square near the monument <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuACGRsNIcMt8XtDRusXoHdh3OoGrU8808H8Q-ut4DtXI6HmjmWTRAwIKe62UrN8UnwZ3qRJn3t85gIYLJQR5pN1qSrp3sAciTJJzo6cEUqDofv4and1zkvCjeeL55BWYvJIyhooSJ6q0/s1600/%25D0%25A1%25D0%25B5%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B0%25D1%2581%25D1%2582%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BF%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BB%25D1%258CP4020189.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 191px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 179px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592555109480005266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuACGRsNIcMt8XtDRusXoHdh3OoGrU8808H8Q-ut4DtXI6HmjmWTRAwIKe62UrN8UnwZ3qRJn3t85gIYLJQR5pN1qSrp3sAciTJJzo6cEUqDofv4and1zkvCjeeL55BWYvJIyhooSJ6q0/s320/%25D0%25A1%25D0%25B5%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B0%25D1%2581%25D1%2582%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BF%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BB%25D1%258CP4020189.JPG" /></a>to Maxim Gorky, clearing the park of debris, clipping the shrubs and planting flowers to welcome spring. Among the participants were community leaders: the district council chairman for Sadhirskoyi, George Burega, and Head of Environment District Councilman Sergei Melenchuk. In Sevestapol, a children’s playground was renovate<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9IJ0Uu7SftNLy3mLxVGXIH4Xr-lagm86qI8FuCDzu9p6wbTI0fAUSiLWuAKJpdn8hURl1b7zWAMg6zHF4mWhpvrIr4yjt8lYoYdcZRmz4_isQT2GlxKV9i8fbFHatlcekjcq7CR3VhU/s1600/IMG_0631.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 146px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 189px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592555448783228290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9IJ0Uu7SftNLy3mLxVGXIH4Xr-lagm86qI8FuCDzu9p6wbTI0fAUSiLWuAKJpdn8hURl1b7zWAMg6zHF4mWhpvrIr4yjt8lYoYdcZRmz4_isQT2GlxKV9i8fbFHatlcekjcq7CR3VhU/s320/IMG_0631.JPG" /></a>d with other congregations offering to join in on future projects to better serve the community. Project zaklyuchavsya located at Ivano-Frankivsk was the repair, cleaning and painting children's playground Danyy Maydanchyku. The cemetery in heart of the city of Rivne was readied for spring by cleaning the grounds, removing dead leaves, fallen branches, the winter buildup of trash, and other debris. In Lviv, the weather cleared just in time to clean, repair and paint the benches in Ivan Franko park, located in the heart of the city. City leaders were very pleased with the work and want to encourage such cooperative efforts throughout the city. </div><br /><div>In Kiev, more than 350 members and their friends wearing vests with the words "<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwlr94DC6yXTB9REBJ6LTiJ0F_ddb4NzysS9VNdLc0LBFiVmj7Z6lV2SWx_DfSlWNMblP_eJbjjpOr_6ZuSjYAap1uaF0_VZZJ3d-qTr2cRwaiwECRfzv63BRst1ojQkfIRi0eIiL6wU/s1600/Foto+077.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 180px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592556386911194706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwlr94DC6yXTB9REBJ6LTiJ0F_ddb4NzysS9VNdLc0LBFiVmj7Z6lV2SWx_DfSlWNMblP_eJbjjpOr_6ZuSjYAap1uaF0_VZZJ3d-qTr2cRwaiwECRfzv63BRst1ojQkfIRi0eIiL6wU/s320/Foto+077.jpg" /></a>Helping Hands” served in 9 locations, including the traditional clearing and cleaning of Babi Yar park joined by other congregations. Other places were determined to serve the local State Administration and utilities for maintaining green space. In Lutsk, invited friends and acquaintances numbered 35 people, who removed debris in the park Lesya Ukrainka and cleaned the beach on the river bank Stir. In the Mining District of Makeyevka, 25 members of the Church managed to clean the Square located around the Palace of Culture and remove garbage. In Donetsk, volunteers cleaned the territory of the city park, removing the debris accumulated over the winter months. </div><br /><div>In Bill<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje72mpUkEicYWLHSXwMEBvKqPKaFOJiQG8KlFrxNPnlZ8YIjqeIs_Hj4KTkiCr7IX3IIZVSw_Et2lk56z01CXSaEH0M0pOcLhf_Ao6iktUl4-nJqiARDpSPNhrrzr3IaKUvWHzBZpympM/s1600/161.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 178px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592558638555872674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje72mpUkEicYWLHSXwMEBvKqPKaFOJiQG8KlFrxNPnlZ8YIjqeIs_Hj4KTkiCr7IX3IIZVSw_Et2lk56z01CXSaEH0M0pOcLhf_Ao6iktUl4-nJqiARDpSPNhrrzr3IaKUvWHzBZpympM/s320/161.JPG" /></a>a Tserka, a well organized group of 40 members cleaned the large park area, inviting other organizations to join in and participate in cleaning up the surrounding areas and festi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcPl_tDpv9FTa41-uJSnlTRRfHZ5yvXgf211qx-GmhiI6xxn7XPmasan2nR2gu6fy6x21ygbN13olzmqncDEI408gFqPR_uUbOUv-cECm1HqcFyLcrkd_04PzQUor1gzgnm9cVTE5-cM/s1600/IMG_0161.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 193px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 167px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592557300046122610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcPl_tDpv9FTa41-uJSnlTRRfHZ5yvXgf211qx-GmhiI6xxn7XPmasan2nR2gu6fy6x21ygbN13olzmqncDEI408gFqPR_uUbOUv-cECm1HqcFyLcrkd_04PzQUor1gzgnm9cVTE5-cM/s320/IMG_0161.jpg" /></a>vities. Although in somewhat rainy conditions, 14 joined forces in Zhutomyr to clean the park in commemoration to Yuri Gagarin, removing over 25 bags of garbage and debris, making the grounds presentable and attractive for taking a stroll across the wooded areas. In Maripul, 20 combined their efforts to clean the large housing area that surrounds the church. </div><br /><div>That same day, Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asked all members around the world to perform a “Day of Service” to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Church’s welfare program. President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, made the announcement during the Saturday morning session at the 181st Annual General Conference. Local Church leaders decide the details of each project and Latter-day Saints are encouraged to invite neighbors and friends of the Church to participate. “The feelings of unity will multiply the good effects of the service you give. And those feelings of unity in families, in the Church, and in communities grow and will become a lasting legacy long after the project ends,” President Eyring said. </div><br /><div>His words were demonstrated in deed, and fully realized during the All Ukraine Helping Hands Day, 2 April 2011. The consensus from participants is that this should become an annual event in Ukraine, encouraging cooperation with local communities and other organizations within the communities. </div></div></div></div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-51978901910277441272011-02-07T11:07:00.000-08:002011-02-07T11:49:41.704-08:00Visit to ArmeniaSo, where in the world do you think the photo below was taken? About a year ago, I went to Promontory Point to watch a rocket test firing at Thiokol, and this is what it looked like when looking back at the mountains to the east of Tremonton. When we woke up in Yerevan, Armenia, it was hazy with some snow in the higher elevations. It reminded us of northern Utah with the valleys and mountains. We went to see Mt. Ararat to see if we could help locate Noah's ark, but had no luck.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6Maq5ZiQTgQaAgK9FP7_O0KHjSbHuhVuASaOo9LKIC8I6rPqmzuSdwaoZAqO6ngDc0Vv7EOAruHXnq4aI0BQaGlYXlIeJJIZ8G07YMWqN62I_nHMQUD_Mxy-fXlZLpMJ75hYyGgM3pM/s1600/IMG_0532.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571028282632873938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6Maq5ZiQTgQaAgK9FP7_O0KHjSbHuhVuASaOo9LKIC8I6rPqmzuSdwaoZAqO6ngDc0Vv7EOAruHXnq4aI0BQaGlYXlIeJJIZ8G07YMWqN62I_nHMQUD_Mxy-fXlZLpMJ75hYyGgM3pM/s320/IMG_0532.jpg" /></a> This is what it is supposed to look like most of the year. The climate is not too different from Albuquerque, but it hardly ever snows in the valleys of Armenia. Armenia is located just east of Turkey. It borders Turkey, Iran, Georgia and Azerbijan. The borders are generally closed except with Georgia, which borders Russia. In addition to Noah's ark tourism, Armenia is famous for great fruit (apricots, peaches, apples, pomogranits, grapes, etc.). Their most famous export is wine.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571028422515059714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjkEgJZBcrYw_XZeKkTPxrtORQ_wiDWKoriK-hibWRB6TYcNv2YQDxE3_QAifsDYNukwkBnreRyUfgJQ-UlJAI1ScL3EHaTfLHuO4toOX2juZasaXG0m7XOk0mR0UJbumTDA6HCq3sW4/s320/400px-Yerevan-cascades-raffi_kojian-DCP_1934.jpg" />We stayed at the Marriott Hotel in the center of Yerevan, thanks to Jeromy's discout he got for us. It is the best hotel in Armenia and we enjoyed our stay there. It is located on Republic Square, which is a very modern and beautiful area with a great big round-about.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL3grrNZZrQH4f9s18In3LOhVO7Bj-jXhQX4kO3sI9JygU81N5o57_fK5_EEnFSDu6U0HM7ewqo88-ZKmo75Wb6meTX3bZq3oX6htx3cD87fviiyk6jnZ59pxSe_MT06DJuHoZoobM8k/s1600/IMG_0500.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571028146175300578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL3grrNZZrQH4f9s18In3LOhVO7Bj-jXhQX4kO3sI9JygU81N5o57_fK5_EEnFSDu6U0HM7ewqo88-ZKmo75Wb6meTX3bZq3oX6htx3cD87fviiyk6jnZ59pxSe_MT06DJuHoZoobM8k/s320/IMG_0500.jpg" /></a> Our hosts were Margarit and Sergus. They took us around for a day to see many of the interesting sites around Yerevan, including the genocide memorial that pays tribute to the 1915 massacre by the Turks of Armenians. This needle statue is located by an eternal flame. The Armenians still do not get along with the Turks, so that is why the border is still closed. The Turks also took land away from Armenia in 1915, which included Mt. Ararat. They still remember it well.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXynuK_Uqyz_tUwshh8Ft7Gq71Xy_c6ON4Uqf6OU0dXux7G63MPC2yqUUtH5lJpaKStN-y2fw1lPVsyoWQWJM8VFY5ti_wLVSCTFCQYKda55f2bEy9bQiA4IQpCv9NYfZOYR3t2x1XeJs/s1600/IMG_0506.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571028034216263026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXynuK_Uqyz_tUwshh8Ft7Gq71Xy_c6ON4Uqf6OU0dXux7G63MPC2yqUUtH5lJpaKStN-y2fw1lPVsyoWQWJM8VFY5ti_wLVSCTFCQYKda55f2bEy9bQiA4IQpCv9NYfZOYR3t2x1XeJs/s320/IMG_0506.jpg" /></a> The Armenian Christian Church is the big player throughout Armenia. We went into a few churches and museums to see what they were like. The Apostle Bartholomew carried out part of his ministry in Armenia, so it has a very long tradition of Christianity, since the 1st century AD. Below is a photo of a bible that was hand scribed in Armenian. There are 36 letters in their alphabet, and we could not read a single letter. It has some resemblence to Thai so maybe Britt and James could decipher some of it. There is a single mission that covers both Armenia and Georgia. The two languages are totally different, but the common language that many speak is Russian.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhmsolXoeqqB63hwEU34hKTDBdG5hPhA8_K_MGHtu_DobVgVH_EYwudOkVPddH7RYurKWM8zlRQcfUlWEKNbZ2NbnxDh2NSc6YCSwsLn-uZ-wHIc_TsUpw8MR2OWf8LzdmKhGHxG-xkQ/s1600/IMG_0520.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571027895873744770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhmsolXoeqqB63hwEU34hKTDBdG5hPhA8_K_MGHtu_DobVgVH_EYwudOkVPddH7RYurKWM8zlRQcfUlWEKNbZ2NbnxDh2NSc6YCSwsLn-uZ-wHIc_TsUpw8MR2OWf8LzdmKhGHxG-xkQ/s320/IMG_0520.jpg" /></a> We went to a monastary up in the mountains that was built into and from the rocks in the mountainside. As you can see from the photo, we were in snow at this elevation. It rained in the valley and snowed in the mountains most of the time we were there. We need to go back during apricot season, and hopefully get a better view of Ararat.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7HIrrCiB60OCFx479s_0jeyMTshffhEFhI7oLjD-0q5pviBG4EbeLhDZZxwgBzsUnjB8EqPn-TJCLmBz1O-muZM5fFpS229iJwTaT22158NPeekbygb3X2WxDNvnS8tBG6Dwx4PJ2Lw/s1600/IMG_0542.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571027750546217346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7HIrrCiB60OCFx479s_0jeyMTshffhEFhI7oLjD-0q5pviBG4EbeLhDZZxwgBzsUnjB8EqPn-TJCLmBz1O-muZM5fFpS229iJwTaT22158NPeekbygb3X2WxDNvnS8tBG6Dwx4PJ2Lw/s320/IMG_0542.jpg" /></a> Armenia suffers from many people leaving for better living conditions. There are more Armenians in Claifronia than there are in Armenia. Many go to Russia to find jobs, but many do not return as they prefer to not live in Armenia again. It is quite sad, but hopefully things will pick up in the future.</div><br /><div></div><div>We cannot leave without a picture of the Kyiv temple, and how it looks in January. Our winter has been quite mild, with a little snow and cold. We do not mind it at all. We have been a lot warmer than the temperatures back home.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCwbNt_pxV7DUMBYexkv-GylBTqosfMoDd3mCM_SN053_f86YJ8v8lHTrgBp0i_ozQCFnOiuGWeBTWNFmdz0yj9jc6jjMl5Mwzn73xN99JJJN_VSbWJrJWPzt813_nnB6p22hf_BB7w8/s1600/IMG_0552.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571027075979343634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCwbNt_pxV7DUMBYexkv-GylBTqosfMoDd3mCM_SN053_f86YJ8v8lHTrgBp0i_ozQCFnOiuGWeBTWNFmdz0yj9jc6jjMl5Mwzn73xN99JJJN_VSbWJrJWPzt813_nnB6p22hf_BB7w8/s320/IMG_0552.jpg" /></a> We need to go to Bulgaria and the Baltics in the next couple of months. We look forward to the adventures. It is hard to believe that we are nearly half way through our mission. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Bye for now.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tom and Shauna</div></div></div></div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-15685447270094561202011-01-15T08:54:00.000-08:002011-01-15T09:15:37.725-08:00Winter In KyivThis is a view of our apartment (on the left) just across the playground. They use the playgound as much in the winter as they did during the summer. We had a couple inches of snow, but it warmed up enough that it is all melted. Some of the grass is still green as the snow melted.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6vpxCL7fkUli_l5T46n_mp0VHqQO-cGMCo0crK0Z5Wo9di6LBLkC-5zg9OBbq0ljNGwjxgjMWIV4xF2GADTncnk_msCl4r1qy87A-A8yXJAnoRevEPQ_1cAmTpLzVcT6rK5jaKHm_ZI/s1600/IMG_0444.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562459037833821794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6vpxCL7fkUli_l5T46n_mp0VHqQO-cGMCo0crK0Z5Wo9di6LBLkC-5zg9OBbq0ljNGwjxgjMWIV4xF2GADTncnk_msCl4r1qy87A-A8yXJAnoRevEPQ_1cAmTpLzVcT6rK5jaKHm_ZI/s320/IMG_0444.jpg" /></a> Another view of the building construction in the middle of our apartment complex. Almost all of the apartments in view are not yet occupied, so we expect the foot traffic to really grow as they build out the apartments. The new construction will be a health and fitness center with swimming pool. There was little construction during the summer, and we thought it was the slow economy. Since the weather turned colder, there is apartment construction work going on everwhere. I count 14 new buildings goin up from where I took the photo. So the economy must be picking up.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiYe7IKtLcN1J25mRvG7kbUpPLDULVnuk9GKVplbpfQLAC4dM8CeTelKHsH9jdvguCMunhrU_rbXb8ATDzSVkoGM1y-YOtke_LoyFvXqheThgjmrLjA90zExR95FZRfVQFEo5ietD8RI/s1600/IMG_0443.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562458906319800466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiYe7IKtLcN1J25mRvG7kbUpPLDULVnuk9GKVplbpfQLAC4dM8CeTelKHsH9jdvguCMunhrU_rbXb8ATDzSVkoGM1y-YOtke_LoyFvXqheThgjmrLjA90zExR95FZRfVQFEo5ietD8RI/s320/IMG_0443.jpg" /></a> We went to the temple Saturday morning. This picture shows an early morning picture of the temple with a new dusting of snow. The nativity scene is on the right. The temperature has hovered around 32 degrees the last couple of weeks, and all the snow melted by noon today.<br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLXWM0OGokF8ZJYXEYhJJiXY1VknEf_ZpG-dFxkmOw7dU-jpxrVUpeZDVzX1jMh-t_hW1EiRsWqCDfm23HfGhSVDr6-ExwUQTyXxuefjkD8-MWVF6mAXSYi4UYLhZ7OHsFLCc7h3XsdQ/s1600/IMG_0472.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562457945414262098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLXWM0OGokF8ZJYXEYhJJiXY1VknEf_ZpG-dFxkmOw7dU-jpxrVUpeZDVzX1jMh-t_hW1EiRsWqCDfm23HfGhSVDr6-ExwUQTyXxuefjkD8-MWVF6mAXSYi4UYLhZ7OHsFLCc7h3XsdQ/s320/IMG_0472.jpg" /></a> Time to get some work done.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Tom and Shauna<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-313570704312195122011-01-10T23:06:00.000-08:002011-01-10T23:26:24.567-08:00Happy New Year<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJk8z59Z2tTdEfmaJ1gKakdsx1NTvQSUbfSXJCpbR5WxAaEG4n0Fb2efO23675_qkGKKt3nlN7zkgmHoVb0eDFhlMvvH4KXHpt0yAhiWbsxWMUVkBMTrM5UjezRhh9NoDXxWtFMdHM_8/s1600/IMG_0448.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 295px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560823382087741474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJk8z59Z2tTdEfmaJ1gKakdsx1NTvQSUbfSXJCpbR5WxAaEG4n0Fb2efO23675_qkGKKt3nlN7zkgmHoVb0eDFhlMvvH4KXHpt0yAhiWbsxWMUVkBMTrM5UjezRhh9NoDXxWtFMdHM_8/s320/IMG_0448.jpg" /></a> We are still celebrating the end of the Christmas season, and the beginning of the New Year. We were surprised at all the Christmas trees, both artificial and real, that were everywhere. The Ukrainians are more festive and really celebrate the new year coming around. It was fun to experience it. These are some carolers from a local church that came by our apartment and sang. They sure had beautiful voices. It was the first time that anyone that we did not know knocked on our door. Kind of surprising.</div><div> </div><div> </div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560824204038680178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39lo7bWpZ_sQDP7Zmjjl6SbhyphenhyphenCBbAOAGAFHwHcwAqTkJkGWKBdBeyCqKZPiZfB92oxzjd_iliV0Z0IeurjP7QjKMwPIhEvwnmavx2HUVip1_Owow0f2aR1RuFC8JGVfotB2-8Jcmt2e4/s320/IMG_0454.jpg" /> <div></div><div>Shauna's Christmas plant started to bloom and was in full force during the Orthodox Christmas (7 Janaury). Not sure how it knew what country it was in but it really produced.</div><div> </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560825750818099826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNrSTAl0BnlMUkOVuD8kGQrFj9YOPpLV6irK-dCXrO8bXoMEr2Vo3g0O2Vv1rS_nb41oCYSxUZS9_pO0sKqi3qPLFY3fV4JbAa1-367eUPNMEopmboK-0LZS8gQp066LMRgmwSOX4cf4/s320/P1014201.JPG" /><br /><br />The day after Christmas, the Stake held a children's party. It was in commemoration of Christmas, but was a cross between our holloween and Christmas. All the kids came dressed up in costumes, with a lot of animals represented. They portrayed a typical Christmas story that involved good guys and bad guys, with the good guys winning over the bad guys. They really had a lot of fun, and it was totally different than anything we had expereienced. We look forward to getting an English version of the storyline and plot.<br /><p>Now we have to go back to work.</p><p> </p><p>Tom and Shauna<br /></p>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-57858574983462514502010-12-31T22:31:00.000-08:002010-12-31T23:07:31.235-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPcCRlhInXpLPhhyBt3KWLbqUemUw6CthohyphenhyphenL9Tv8QnqINFRhDIxiPpnYRshihea5Bny4wRxs1kniN04xviTqFtXBOIZyAQV2LcL30e0ktmPvWIgyue8m8qGv3-MxlRdBjdpJ7L_u6lk/s1600/IMG_0410.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557104852152311410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPcCRlhInXpLPhhyBt3KWLbqUemUw6CthohyphenhyphenL9Tv8QnqINFRhDIxiPpnYRshihea5Bny4wRxs1kniN04xviTqFtXBOIZyAQV2LcL30e0ktmPvWIgyue8m8qGv3-MxlRdBjdpJ7L_u6lk/s320/IMG_0410.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>We<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQpG2reCTJO-ONC5giDPqOX29lNjyMzqH2ZX_Ic4yDtkwJ5h-dqbQlD43STevPqO9Q9CC0RY237m4vfo81FYZxK79JcUCymsEx_cOBgpJwh-2OoSoTHPcKza1aYSfhhHWg5gYy6gGZ5Y/s1600/IMG_0431.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557104025994406818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQpG2reCTJO-ONC5giDPqOX29lNjyMzqH2ZX_Ic4yDtkwJ5h-dqbQlD43STevPqO9Q9CC0RY237m4vfo81FYZxK79JcUCymsEx_cOBgpJwh-2OoSoTHPcKza1aYSfhhHWg5gYy6gGZ5Y/s320/IMG_0431.jpg" /></a> brought in the New Year walking around downtown Kyiv with Elder and Sister Miner, Humanitarian couple from Bountiful that arrived about a month ago. We are standing in front of a Christmas tree at St. Sophia's calthedral, one of the historical monuments in Kyiv. We then took a stroll down Kreshatik, the main street in the heart of Kyiv. The lights were phenomenal. Thier Independence Square is like Times Square in New York, only larger. Following are a few photos from the evening.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5OJz0JJBb_vGYxlHAvNh5IKR7ucz4sUp-qlXLLdITzLN5b8gbQz3gZ4nRLaIpGue2mXcDJ5A6v5o-nNA2tT7P4tM4Yw4v2Am_awAVYLSzSbbh2hyPpZ2qo0eBcjxMMR0Iy_lwNxfNz0/s1600/IMG_0424.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557103931798921090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5OJz0JJBb_vGYxlHAvNh5IKR7ucz4sUp-qlXLLdITzLN5b8gbQz3gZ4nRLaIpGue2mXcDJ5A6v5o-nNA2tT7P4tM4Yw4v2Am_awAVYLSzSbbh2hyPpZ2qo0eBcjxMMR0Iy_lwNxfNz0/s320/IMG_0424.jpg" /></a> There were bands playing, vendors selling all sorts of Chirstmas things (Christmas is not until 7 January so this seemed like the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S. A light snow falling really shows up when using the flash on your camera.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1MyLtpNcfM-qocCuKQ1BFm77Vvfe0baALBcfWS93W4ytGKQkAqUkzWj_xwNWYDOesKc1OiRCnjcMWDvxbkqwMzN_uz0_owgyhEynr-AvcvSBz5w97dTnvat3I9yxPdG3W9JjMAM3LGQ/s1600/IMG_0421.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557103839448151826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1MyLtpNcfM-qocCuKQ1BFm77Vvfe0baALBcfWS93W4ytGKQkAqUkzWj_xwNWYDOesKc1OiRCnjcMWDvxbkqwMzN_uz0_owgyhEynr-AvcvSBz5w97dTnvat3I9yxPdG3W9JjMAM3LGQ/s320/IMG_0421.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s4GpHEHqYHlSp8KMc8O63WjfKoDWUpfiLrQzzpWRu4jVEWt0lv8_sPskJgNZ4qi2j56jYOYg_nFVOGZ0BUysdTRfIjw82GDeukWURkVO4AQlDDYBb-yHmVGKHIVQCgtpmsgEzOwBbi0/s1600/IMG_0417.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557103745494295458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s4GpHEHqYHlSp8KMc8O63WjfKoDWUpfiLrQzzpWRu4jVEWt0lv8_sPskJgNZ4qi2j56jYOYg_nFVOGZ0BUysdTRfIjw82GDeukWURkVO4AQlDDYBb-yHmVGKHIVQCgtpmsgEzOwBbi0/s320/IMG_0417.jpg" /></a><br />One of the themes in walking in the underground shopping is the really neat clothes for children. I think we will be seeing more pink and purple from the looks of what is available in the stores.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-S-ivau77yNdeeF3wOlhGij0xrCm_uDf5O825pPSMgEsTwFca-JMd9RpJRKWaZEuPpveqkfa_-S1DOJH91pU_Tsj_U3aBtnHJnrkcQcyZBOsU1Rkh8yaPgM4LHGOIhIfCdPHEr1kYI4k/s1600/IMG_0435.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557103608789291906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-S-ivau77yNdeeF3wOlhGij0xrCm_uDf5O825pPSMgEsTwFca-JMd9RpJRKWaZEuPpveqkfa_-S1DOJH91pU_Tsj_U3aBtnHJnrkcQcyZBOsU1Rkh8yaPgM4LHGOIhIfCdPHEr1kYI4k/s320/IMG_0435.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqu6jItScKIoBdGvJYhCmll3bf7_bc9hYelD-uB2HwxCr_d19zrOt_-tctLEVpU0nI3KX1h090vnkPeVFXoQL-WrKv7DKYGNTDXG3oo5SX86fPpUHCUzI7V73yAgasbBdxPZS2Its9zM4/s1600/IMG_0434.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557103512930326354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqu6jItScKIoBdGvJYhCmll3bf7_bc9hYelD-uB2HwxCr_d19zrOt_-tctLEVpU0nI3KX1h090vnkPeVFXoQL-WrKv7DKYGNTDXG3oo5SX86fPpUHCUzI7V73yAgasbBdxPZS2Its9zM4/s320/IMG_0434.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The streets are full of New Years and Chirstmas lights. They were amazing, and the people really enjoy them. There were many St. Nicholas', Father Frost's, and mor and more Santa Clause's walking and entertaining the crowds. We tried to capture the magnitude of their celebration with a few photos. I believe New Year's celebration is their biggest holiday event of the year, and they really do it well.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwKkMSYzniAfZzLSmzZbnQJzPG1BQYrlMQtSN3CF9XPXJPlxbWpnzNj-y1etgnxrEZzjP7AsFh9nxGCRwcrAShNS2UuIk4W0MW7n5NDz-kN4RUqkqmi-N8Iw9_xA9DLmuqLtzL4-FBs8/s1600/IMG_0413.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557103393903675842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwKkMSYzniAfZzLSmzZbnQJzPG1BQYrlMQtSN3CF9XPXJPlxbWpnzNj-y1etgnxrEZzjP7AsFh9nxGCRwcrAShNS2UuIk4W0MW7n5NDz-kN4RUqkqmi-N8Iw9_xA9DLmuqLtzL4-FBs8/s320/IMG_0413.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We brought in the New Year 9 hours before most of the family. It was a cool, festive time in Kyiv. Lots of lights, people and fireworks. We spent the last couple of hours in 2010 with the Kamka's, the CES missionaries from Idaho Falls that live in our apartment building 4 floors above us. They have a better view looking toward the city and all the fireworks. There were more than 100 different fireworks displays. Seems as though every neighborhood set off fireworks that lasted until at least 2:30. The closest was just outside our window less than 100 yards away. It was fun and people were partying all night long. It is now 8:00 in the morning and things have quieted down.</div><div></div><div>Tom and Shauna</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-26053823462736750962010-12-26T11:38:00.000-08:002010-12-26T12:05:50.646-08:00Christmas Comes Twice a Year<div>Greetings all,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUg3RA8dPftJWSrykcLQ8IDvhj5mG4LGnaBo5g1MUknKVU1s5sHnoxUml3MBNsRxe29Zdb_U8uJwMUckeoj9JcpC_ZJFItyZNQYxmUduglEaZsAibjNwLwp813sKVP3Zcm5r26GQ4EZVs/s1600/Card_eng.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 163px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555079575112575314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUg3RA8dPftJWSrykcLQ8IDvhj5mG4LGnaBo5g1MUknKVU1s5sHnoxUml3MBNsRxe29Zdb_U8uJwMUckeoj9JcpC_ZJFItyZNQYxmUduglEaZsAibjNwLwp813sKVP3Zcm5r26GQ4EZVs/s320/Card_eng.jpg" /></a><br /><div>In Eastern Europe, the regular Christmas Holiday is 7 January based upon the Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox religions. So we get to celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December as well as the 7th of January. But the 25th was pretty much a regular day in our life. We are starting to see lots of evergreens for sale as Christmas trees, and a lot of artificial ones as well. We have a 1 meter tall tree in our apartment all decorated. It will have to stay there until about the 10th of January. They also celebrate New Year's a little differently, since they have two calendars. The common one used is what we are used to, but the New Year's holiday goes until after the 10th of January. So we are looking forward to people on holiday for a couple of weeks. This is the card (in English) that we prepared for the Church to send out.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nNr88YMfdjFTO_DNG9Ve63T4LMV9rihzpXQBGMR322Q03DqJkSqhRIZWU4PLO9OMdQ8TUr2WZpsAAKq1LiOKJDA-p2kvaKIIH-_DJ1waZzWdBWcN0qRS0eCmIMKS4YjmkAVH5iEU1eI/s1600/IMG_0364.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555080759403622402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nNr88YMfdjFTO_DNG9Ve63T4LMV9rihzpXQBGMR322Q03DqJkSqhRIZWU4PLO9OMdQ8TUr2WZpsAAKq1LiOKJDA-p2kvaKIIH-_DJ1waZzWdBWcN0qRS0eCmIMKS4YjmkAVH5iEU1eI/s320/IMG_0364.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We attended a small Branch in Zhutomyr, which takes us about 3 hours to get to each way. First by metro to the Vaxhall, then Martruska for 2 hours to Zhutomyr, then a 2o minute walk to the house they use as the church. All the young kids belong to the Branch President. There are some young men and women, but attendance is kind of scarce. They held a Christmas program on the 25th and had 40 people attend. So there is potential for a larger attendance. The Branch President used to be a rock star, and his family is very talented.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF92JBg5eLL7Wm4HJUcfZF2_XKrZbpNK4KKGVsR92S5WW2TAxEn_TZnZzrjCOUgbJD56y_bM1KQhnsnM7audWAs3hwiGEN84Bhf9BtAk3QaYyHILdP_WXwuCtfNF-JuN2lUkK_xiO_eMM/s1600/_MG_3653a.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 165px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555083882790504866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF92JBg5eLL7Wm4HJUcfZF2_XKrZbpNK4KKGVsR92S5WW2TAxEn_TZnZzrjCOUgbJD56y_bM1KQhnsnM7audWAs3hwiGEN84Bhf9BtAk3QaYyHILdP_WXwuCtfNF-JuN2lUkK_xiO_eMM/s320/_MG_3653a.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We are keeping very busy with Public Affairs training. We leave early in the morning to go to the Crimea for a couple of days. We hope to take a few hours and go to the Black Sea, near Yalta. I have always wanted to go there, and this may be our only chance. We chose to fly instead of the 18 hour train ride. We will see how it goes. We previoulsy went to the Black Sea at Odessa, but it was so foggy that you could not see across the pier let alone into the sea.</div><div> </div><div>The Kyiv temple has been very busy since it opened. They say it is too small for the number of patrons using it. That is a great problem to have. They are trying to organize a stake in Moscow, so if that happens then maybe they will announce another temple in Eastern Europe. From expereience we know that it will take awhile to build, however.<br /></div><div>We wish all a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!</div><br /><div></div><div>Tom and Shauna</div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-13278595217202635562010-10-22T10:33:00.000-07:002010-10-22T10:54:11.997-07:00Travel Log to Kharkov<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UDsp5yy3MGGv-AenDcvcXcYPK90xwjOwfhUhi3P1XLhO_IIj_WgmlrRBooJFx3sX7EZGMvq1XIwBF7xuhUPd757uwSrxJ8TrNAZUF8R2bHrWS0wtS0skHcaW-0EVbCgsF3f3V-E2yOk/s1600/P1014013.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530926069140346498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UDsp5yy3MGGv-AenDcvcXcYPK90xwjOwfhUhi3P1XLhO_IIj_WgmlrRBooJFx3sX7EZGMvq1XIwBF7xuhUPd757uwSrxJ8TrNAZUF8R2bHrWS0wtS0skHcaW-0EVbCgsF3f3V-E2yOk/s320/P1014013.JPG" /></a> We had a Public Affairs Council meeting in Kharkov, Ukraine, which is a 5.5 hour train ride from Kyiv.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBltdx-034janaDrF5hjZ9FZiVfmjW0SkB7uoRt0QJQaEPaShvE1gWRDBsoJCQo9mauG_m2ZFHhUFhtd4JD3Urem_-5WtXTpUkmOtIF0zfiPe_byqQVCj9i1QiT9DV6S3aKf6WgVEBqAg/s1600/P1014031.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530925959849068978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBltdx-034janaDrF5hjZ9FZiVfmjW0SkB7uoRt0QJQaEPaShvE1gWRDBsoJCQo9mauG_m2ZFHhUFhtd4JD3Urem_-5WtXTpUkmOtIF0zfiPe_byqQVCj9i1QiT9DV6S3aKf6WgVEBqAg/s320/P1014031.JPG" /></a> We took the day train to see<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />the countryside, and spent the night in a nice hotel. We spent a little time in downtown Kharkov. It was quite impressive and a very beautiful fall day. Lots and lots of fountains with wedding couples everywhere. One fountain was a little different version of "The Kiss" that we had never seen before with two bronze statues stretching across the fountain.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6wWS2qhYnpukEyIO369Wz8WPa4inuwiVliXBA7Yy08hyphenhyphenEKMG0YwVSC8duCoUWHwo1mPJK00CMcut-8aqrHRIm6LH08aq9_9zZTgsSn8BtYz6rGQU-FZFkAmhRLOMJ6F2gq2jdQPVkss/s1600/P1014019.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530925779079810770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6wWS2qhYnpukEyIO369Wz8WPa4inuwiVliXBA7Yy08hyphenhyphenEKMG0YwVSC8duCoUWHwo1mPJK00CMcut-8aqrHRIm6LH08aq9_9zZTgsSn8BtYz6rGQU-FZFkAmhRLOMJ6F2gq2jdQPVkss/s320/P1014019.JPG" /></a><br />Another eye catching display in a park was various churches encased in glass. Reminded usof the Temple crystals that have been a tremendous hit over here, at least of the Kyiv temple.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTbzkNEDpPHPe_zE8UaUCoQ4s3aePimCZd1CIJW5cNIpFe6v0U4sRjNLpJD6SQovzQ7cKhxKE1-j-E_9hCc1jWD1ChtJf4mDTXOdScOYLyk3NixT4zOf9gv_3y3dZvysllg27xjG43F8/s1600/P1014018.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530925506408724306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTbzkNEDpPHPe_zE8UaUCoQ4s3aePimCZd1CIJW5cNIpFe6v0U4sRjNLpJD6SQovzQ7cKhxKE1-j-E_9hCc1jWD1ChtJf4mDTXOdScOYLyk3NixT4zOf9gv_3y3dZvysllg27xjG43F8/s320/P1014018.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>We enjoyed the train ride, but it sure was hot on the way back. They do like it warm inside here, whether at work, on the train or at home. By the way, we had a great Public Affairs training meeting in Kharkov. It lasted about 4 hours and then we had lunch before heading back home. It was a very pleasant weekend.</div><div></div><div>Bye for now.</div><div></div><div>Tom & Shauna </div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-13452556333955169192010-10-18T11:02:00.000-07:002010-10-18T11:10:39.369-07:00Fun Experience in Khmelnitsy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYLbvtcc9yFsVEVCguBrZhz4VBFMDRoYM-wYBx4BxBpyQeqlGeujJK-vKoqJwg_6PxdFbhDyzBe96z4lDiwVgSCtcnKP9W225aBi2WWXXPtTW1kM2vE9fAlssyTp9tGOZxTf8ru3mTp0/s1600/Khmelnitsky+project+1.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529448458666898434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYLbvtcc9yFsVEVCguBrZhz4VBFMDRoYM-wYBx4BxBpyQeqlGeujJK-vKoqJwg_6PxdFbhDyzBe96z4lDiwVgSCtcnKP9W225aBi2WWXXPtTW1kM2vE9fAlssyTp9tGOZxTf8ru3mTp0/s320/Khmelnitsky+project+1.JPG" /></a> It seems as if everyone wanted an interview at the Blind Humanitarian project in Khmelnitsy, Ukraine. Several reporters from Ukrainian TV and newspapers covered the event. There was one shot of our missionary badge that was shown on the TV news. Two weeks later one of the missionaries serving in Khmelnitsy came up to me in Kyiv during transfers with a big smile on his face. He said everyone in Khmelnitsy saw the news story, and what a wonderful organization the church was for sponsoring it. They recoginized the missionary badge, even the local barber, and compleimented them on the grat example of the Church. Their reception on the street and in homes was greatly improved as a result. We owe our thanks the humanitarian folks who put this together.<br /><div> </div><div>Now the Mission President has us going back and speaking in their Branch this Sunday.</div><div> </div><div>T & S</div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-34631190965308221522010-10-07T10:57:00.000-07:002010-10-07T11:11:20.655-07:00More of L\viv, Ukraine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiuhznSd4nAAlVOonpkQ0PuBZ9qJ_ICKu-QcZTeY8po1wqlJyU6wVpb2Hndw6HflLQyjQQsgYh4DH-AU9jlKTgrBUHeTvSRaH90K84_RGNnD3GGKRroihcWxotCpgzo8RiOWhQI7GSaI/s1600/P1013975.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525365313524022562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiuhznSd4nAAlVOonpkQ0PuBZ9qJ_ICKu-QcZTeY8po1wqlJyU6wVpb2Hndw6HflLQyjQQsgYh4DH-AU9jlKTgrBUHeTvSRaH90K84_RGNnD3GGKRroihcWxotCpgzo8RiOWhQI7GSaI/s320/P1013975.JPG" /></a><br /><br />L'viv of Ukraine will host some of the Euro2012 soccer games. We did not see the stadium, but the town will be ready. They are working feaverishly to make the road from Kyiv to L'viv drivable. Lots done, but lots more to do. It seemed to me that L'viv was way ahead of Kyiv in preparing for the games. They are totally renovating one stadium in Kyiv, and they will have to hurry to make it in time.<br /><p> </p><p><br /> </p><br /><br />The second picture is of a typical street in L'viv that accommodates a trolly for public transportation. The streets are mainly cobblestone, so not the smoothest for driving or walking. It is a clean, quaint and pretty European city. It has several McDonalds, for what that is worth.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnJR7KC2cejsMhwvkFv9ooNEFW_7vH4MZWpzELyh-EB1_cXte07pgoFcIqdtSlYPk7GQBiFePAdFtSZ7Ne12JWYDqgaDUnaN2NnpkBvEIQzoEfzrQM8PIKQxKyi3hOYGz3uRdzTD_1YU/s1600/IMG_0058.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525365106554001586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnJR7KC2cejsMhwvkFv9ooNEFW_7vH4MZWpzELyh-EB1_cXte07pgoFcIqdtSlYPk7GQBiFePAdFtSZ7Ne12JWYDqgaDUnaN2NnpkBvEIQzoEfzrQM8PIKQxKyi3hOYGz3uRdzTD_1YU/s320/IMG_0058.jpg" /></a><br />Outside L'viv about 70 km is this castle, which is undergoing restoration. Again, lots has been done, but lots to do. They are strapped for cash to take on all of these projects. The economy has not helped at all.<br /><div></div><br /><div>This also goes for our apartment complex. Barely more than a year old, they are starting to work on finishing the buildings. There is to be a parking garage beneath each apartment building, but the concrete driveway into the parking lot does not exist. Money drives the schedule.</div><div>Tom and Shauna</div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-20632024834504560922010-10-06T10:16:00.000-07:002010-10-06T10:53:39.732-07:00L'viv, a Taste of Western Europe in Ukraine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlGdfgt6EG6z_tyQ7Ner7FNL14ngEGLJFkFTRDIMRj9ElGHmkRKjz6tXCrTo35sntvacRRh9yCwkRtkrinD7YTGIqIOxLL57Il-iqL3VuHxFqY1cyCHY4DUYd-ETFm3FLvI17688EZTw/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524992136586495890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlGdfgt6EG6z_tyQ7Ner7FNL14ngEGLJFkFTRDIMRj9ElGHmkRKjz6tXCrTo35sntvacRRh9yCwkRtkrinD7YTGIqIOxLL57Il-iqL3VuHxFqY1cyCHY4DUYd-ETFm3FLvI17688EZTw/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I felt sorry for this dairy cow. She needed to be milked a day or two ago. There were several cows that looked miserable, but they were driving them to, I assume, a milking barn. Just some of the neat cultural in Ukraine.</div><div> </div><div>Ukraine and Poland are co-hosts of Euro2012. One of the cities to host these soccer matches is a City in Western Ukraine called L'viv. It has a very European flavor to it. Fortunately it was not destroyed during World War II, like most of the cities in Ukraine. First by the Nazis and then by the Russians as they drove out the Germans.<br /></div><br /><div>L'viv is about 400 miles west of Kyhiv. We went there in a car with a councilor in the Mission Presidency. It was fun to see all the country and listen to his many stories. We stopped at a couple of castles taht dated back to the 16th century. It was great. But next time we will most likely take the overnighte train since you can sleep while travelling for 1q hours.</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrzUEGcD9I_FmIUsjZGRsAORh0eMCe1Vgz1IChmN4o-XElstnkE9ejk_uiO1Mwko7nrSIB3F6ooyRkPrih3BAvE_7L0rSzFcIxIBHONqBvhQwdK-VeF0jdWrtFVAfDarM1Qvz9AKHP7s/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524986187454690754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrzUEGcD9I_FmIUsjZGRsAORh0eMCe1Vgz1IChmN4o-XElstnkE9ejk_uiO1Mwko7nrSIB3F6ooyRkPrih3BAvE_7L0rSzFcIxIBHONqBvhQwdK-VeF0jdWrtFVAfDarM1Qvz9AKHP7s/s320/IMG_0048.JPG" /></a><br />There are two branches in L'viv, and they have a big beautiful LDS building to meet in. We spent a couple of nights in L'viv and took in some of the sights. We ate at a restaurant called the G9lden Boar. There used to be lots of wild pigs in ukraine. They had one stuffed hanging from the ceiling. It was huge, and looked like a big steer ready for slaughter. At any rate, it was a fun city to visit and we look forward to going back over the next few months.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We went into a couple of Catholic Churches of various backgrounds, which was ineresting. We saw more people in the churches on this Saturday morning than any other churches we have been to in all of Europe. Most of them were older women, but a few men and younger people.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76nlAjEUSqrejvl6x8cI8zXzI3e454UEW2p4lvzNkkCtWMP88bbUR1JTVCKgHe113bcF21Lirvs2OBdDi24QwIAODXhJfdeKIC8vi3B0tkOgi2Z7K-AKK3RNsr5wIp9FMooYi4cxBGFY/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524985765857508866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76nlAjEUSqrejvl6x8cI8zXzI3e454UEW2p4lvzNkkCtWMP88bbUR1JTVCKgHe113bcF21Lirvs2OBdDi24QwIAODXhJfdeKIC8vi3B0tkOgi2Z7K-AKK3RNsr5wIp9FMooYi4cxBGFY/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" /></a> The church has been invited to participate in a religious museum in L'viv. So we will most likely be involved in building a display to go into the museum. There seems to be more religious tolerance in Western Ukraine, so we look forward to help set that up. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It seemed good to spend a little time away from the hustle and bustle of Kyiv. We also enjoy getting out a seeing a little of the country. The soil is so rich and the crops are bountiful. It is fun to see the horses pulling wooden wagons, most single horse drawn but some teams. We see lots of dairy cows, but no beef. We have not even seen any pigs even thought that is a staple in Ukraine. We will keep our eyes out for them.</div><div> </div><div>So long for now.</div><div> </div><div>Tom and Shauna</div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-39232258992602332142010-10-06T09:42:00.000-07:002010-10-06T10:16:31.336-07:00Life 25 Years After People<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KmSzKuYfOENISgsw0Mce32tXpDkLsDA2kE7nm9Uf6zM1dYonmK7Xowa5voPYPx4vndk2zCUwk1lOUIciC6JtP8lBBzZkyax0djRl9XYb7duZUIH9TYXIV4VVYmRCFmI54_MXaLgzHDQ/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524976291373076578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KmSzKuYfOENISgsw0Mce32tXpDkLsDA2kE7nm9Uf6zM1dYonmK7Xowa5voPYPx4vndk2zCUwk1lOUIciC6JtP8lBBzZkyax0djRl9XYb7duZUIH9TYXIV4VVYmRCFmI54_MXaLgzHDQ/s320/IMG_0131.JPG" /></a> A few senior missionary couples trvelled to Chernoble, a former city north of Kyiv about 80 miles. Chernoble is where the nuclear power plant blew up in 1986 and created a lot of rediation contamination throughout Eastern Europe. Belarus was the hardest hit and many peo died due to the readiation exposure. The prevailing winds were westerly after the explosion, and then northward. So even thought Kyiv is only 80 miles away, most of the effects left Kyiv untouched, except that the Dnipro reiver runs through Chrnoble and then down to Kyiv. Needless to say, people are still afraid to swim or eat any fish that come from the river. All missionaries are precluded from eating any local fish, and of course they do not go swimming. After 25 years, people are starting to go back to Chernoble. We took a tour that started out in Chrnoble, and then to the reactor site. There was a city of about 50,000. Over three days after the accident, they were all evacuated with the intent that they could go back within less than a week. Well, that week lasted until today.<br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524975490197928562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZs2Ys_-H1xFmBKtfWvuxKoHP7lfAbtWd902bO921h-yDwmNaXds2HtHUZJVWypvM7HnZQxL3-N0PfesMlFCkOF7T_xEEqbULoOmRgYaoSg-scOtTrJLBAGun7m2aq3vHxEb2ZMk2hl54/s320/IMG_0139.JPG" />N0 one was allowed to return to get any of thier belongings once the magnitude of the accident was understood. So this city remains a ghost town. We drove through the city and took a fer pictures of what nature has done to a city in which man left 25 years ago. There was vegitation growing up everywhere, and animals have come back to run freely and without any interferrence. They built an amusement park that was scheduled to open three days after the accident occurred. Lots of fun palythings that never were used.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqcudgqK8wNDAsrydjOU1F96re_Wlh-5Urort4PS-K2PnxCnJPGKOfxB4tqdZq3vMPffYd-vh9NGUzD26KVqQ4LKKRDPXkVuduyGIU2eFPCZSiNLrPLGnVVImiWfFx6aclQrtkxgh41s/s1600/chernobyl+grp.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524974761730880162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqcudgqK8wNDAsrydjOU1F96re_Wlh-5Urort4PS-K2PnxCnJPGKOfxB4tqdZq3vMPffYd-vh9NGUzD26KVqQ4LKKRDPXkVuduyGIU2eFPCZSiNLrPLGnVVImiWfFx6aclQrtkxgh41s/s320/chernobyl+grp.jpg" /></a></p><p>This photo shows the group as we were leaving Chrnoble. The world got together to fund a big tomb for the demolished nuclear plant. There were 4 in operation, and two more under construction. All work ceased but they never shut down the last reactor until the year 2000. Most thought that working in the other plants was not too hazzardous, so they continued to produce electricitiy. They are in a three year project to encapsulate the troubled site. With all the nations and organizations involved in deciding what to do, it has taken many years to finally put a plan together. And the plan is to just encapsulate the trouble spot until someone can find a better solution. Quite an interesting mess. The reactor was a Soviet design, built in Ukraine, and operatied by a team from several former Soviet countries. I asked if Belarus was cooperating with them since the reactor is less than 5 miles from thier border and they took most of the damage from the accident. The response was that there was no cooperation nor dialogue with Belarus. Too bad.</p><p>An interesgting experience to see the effects of nuclear radiation. But many lessons were learned so that it will hopefully not ever happen again. There are no more reactors of this type in operation. The have all been closed down.</p><p>Tom and Shauna </p>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-67118287800286037462010-09-29T05:35:00.000-07:002010-09-29T05:53:32.112-07:00Trains The Ultimate Experience<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgP49qUA4bGuLIM7t57jIR0wjxxBDoJ_jfjPhCiJRp9sOK5wRS131_PyTimxKzR8bk3KNhANJdmFwKSc58tWucfA6vsvrzSWx2DI8L0_hffsSazOEeXRCwvvuOxbvpreXXMvONO3v09Q/s1600/DSC_6600.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgP49qUA4bGuLIM7t57jIR0wjxxBDoJ_jfjPhCiJRp9sOK5wRS131_PyTimxKzR8bk3KNhANJdmFwKSc58tWucfA6vsvrzSWx2DI8L0_hffsSazOEeXRCwvvuOxbvpreXXMvONO3v09Q/s320/DSC_6600.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522316699100714562" /></a><br />THis is a photo of the temple approaching dusk. Compliments of Hanno. <br /><br />Our most recent adventure to Chernivsti via train (this was the 4th time on such a trip). We did the standard McDonalds treat just outside the train station before boarding the 15 hour overnight train from Kyiv to Chernivsti. This time we shared a 4 bed compartment with two elderly gentlemen who spoke a lot less English than we spoke Russian. The normal routine is visit for awhile, get a cup of tea or coffee to go with your evening snack (nice dinner in many cases), make up your bunk beds with the sheets, pillow and blanket they provide, then figure out a way to let everyone make their beds and get ready for bed without stepping on each other. Going to sleep with the lights on or off is indifferent to most. Just make the most of it and enjoy the night’s sleep with the rickety rackety of the train meandering down the track. It is not the smoothest train track, but it kind of rocks you to sleep. Actually, the ride reminded me of driving down the Bone road to Idaho Falls from Grays Lake.<br /><br />About an hour after the train left, Shauna went into the restroom at the end of the sleeper car to freshen up a bit. That is where she spent the next hour because she broke the door handle and lock. After 9 train workers with crowbars, hammers, chisels, screw drivers, and yelling, they managed to twist the door enough to unlock it. I think they bent the train frame to finally open it up. It was amusing listening to them yelling instructions to Shauna, and she quietly did what she thought they wanted her to do from inside. Finally she just stood back and let them hammer away until they bent the metal door and got her out. I hope they think it was a malfunctioning door, otherwise we will need to pay for all the repairs.. We think the train purser is on our side because it seemed like she was apologizing to us and offered us free tea and coffee. From now on I have to accompany Shauna whenever she goes to the toilet to guard the door because she will NOT lock the door again when she gets inside! She always struggled with the compartment doors and usually needed help to open them. So this really did not surprise me that much.<br />I will try to capture some of the experience on camera. But it can never do the actual ride justice.Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-3901222487221573082010-09-18T10:16:00.001-07:002010-09-18T10:40:06.028-07:00Chernivtsi, Ukraine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRB_9ykTYKeUNJu98K7F95KbUCA3EPHndno714F_EMq2kSlSgomrsrM70YlGAhjX1yyFzOUsdTCJPkwxRc9kB8R4TFjJm1tFSBSR3CgKYRXkgt9BImxD3bUBi7iz3MTcCxs2c_MCB79YI/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518304415325698594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRB_9ykTYKeUNJu98K7F95KbUCA3EPHndno714F_EMq2kSlSgomrsrM70YlGAhjX1yyFzOUsdTCJPkwxRc9kB8R4TFjJm1tFSBSR3CgKYRXkgt9BImxD3bUBi7iz3MTcCxs2c_MCB79YI/s320/IMG_0026.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We visited the Chernivtsi Branch for the Mission the middle of September. It takes a 15 hour train ride to get there, plus another hour to get to the train station. Due to ticket availability, we left Saturday late afternoon, arrived on Sunday morning. We then spent Sunday night at a hotel and then back on the train the next night. So it is an ordeal to do this a couple times each month. But it is a great experience to visit the branch there. Several speak English and we help teach classes.</div><div> </div><div>The picture on the left is just before having lunch a "Helen's". A great place for lunch. It kind of reminded us of the Pubs in London for a great lunch.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_1Hn_cnHQ_n50ilpjjUZHJwGAjuKvoGIS-haei1fH7155ai1QcJa1ubQsOb9QhTqAdou2oSukRa2RQb7NsYMuAIk1t4X_VBT_EKbLF3p-lpN1P1qlzAuTB-qQ3dH6zI58gYgVgah3rw/s1600/IMG_0024.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518304306936007858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_1Hn_cnHQ_n50ilpjjUZHJwGAjuKvoGIS-haei1fH7155ai1QcJa1ubQsOb9QhTqAdou2oSukRa2RQb7NsYMuAIk1t4X_VBT_EKbLF3p-lpN1P1qlzAuTB-qQ3dH6zI58gYgVgah3rw/s320/IMG_0024.jpg" /></a><br />Chernivtsi is over 1400 years old (historical founding was in 602). Its archetecture was not destroyed in WWII, so it is a fun place to visit. They love flowers, and the wreathes at the Shevchenko monument are beautiful. We wish we could take them back to the States, especially for Memorial Day. You can get flowers nearly everywhere as they sell them in street stands, along the roads, etc. They are so colorful and many varieties that we had not seen before. Ukraine is truely a gardener's delight.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgtAq45lz1zqqe8kFmrK5oMxtkOhHBqTMLiw6cLTPD7MQAhG4Q1JonWMyb-yCVM6JCk6nx_J7pXz_f-vjYeS-_x4WfD2n01ZmMWPlq1DBo1RyqDDpa88_AbWRthSakYEHgCDLQDrkEs0/s1600/IMG_0020.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518304146898001010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgtAq45lz1zqqe8kFmrK5oMxtkOhHBqTMLiw6cLTPD7MQAhG4Q1JonWMyb-yCVM6JCk6nx_J7pXz_f-vjYeS-_x4WfD2n01ZmMWPlq1DBo1RyqDDpa88_AbWRthSakYEHgCDLQDrkEs0/s320/IMG_0020.jpg" /></a> We spent some time at the University. It is beautiful and fully functional. They still have hard wooden benshes for the students, but that doesn't matter as this has a reputation for teaching and learning excellence.<br /></div><div>It is not a huge university, but is prominent in the city and is a favorite place for weddings. On Sunday we counted 22 limosines parked waiting for the bride and groom to come out of the University grounds. The weddings are very beautiful as well, with lots of people pampering the bride. Their dress is very formal and quite expensive, we are sure.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTmMonAv9v5Xn-ZWhKLfzqTLM_WqdgsOUi94Uk4ihgTpZPJQ2LtM4hfONSXDCzb6fh-YsTT8iVS_Ssvru0CDBpHjN_3rF9ACbVmZti_V39Wj3QuRt_9T2PUPSX60simEI5Yp-URXsQ_s/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518304004606320834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTmMonAv9v5Xn-ZWhKLfzqTLM_WqdgsOUi94Uk4ihgTpZPJQ2LtM4hfONSXDCzb6fh-YsTT8iVS_Ssvru0CDBpHjN_3rF9ACbVmZti_V39Wj3QuRt_9T2PUPSX60simEI5Yp-URXsQ_s/s320/IMG_0013.jpg" /></a><br />The last two photos were taken at Independence Square in Kyiv. This is where the Ukraine Orange Revolution got started in which they turned their attention west to Europe. The last election brought an end to the Orange revolution as the new government is making friends with Russia again. Personally, they need to keep a tie with Russia for economic and political purposes, but look to the west for models of democracy and ecomonic growth. Russina depends on Ukraine for food and manufacturing, and Ukraine depends on Russia for energy and some raw materials.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpmb2xuNlIwiWw8Q2e38HTL1dqjnuTGgROfnhYQ-0DTOlJ5_jOi3QE723s90PBOtiDknfZETgt378JICAvys0E1PztxPYSJ9YQkt_ApplIlgdUPzdOFr-ZuhxTEbCOWhcFJQ1YRb1QcM/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518303855408468738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpmb2xuNlIwiWw8Q2e38HTL1dqjnuTGgROfnhYQ-0DTOlJ5_jOi3QE723s90PBOtiDknfZETgt378JICAvys0E1PztxPYSJ9YQkt_ApplIlgdUPzdOFr-ZuhxTEbCOWhcFJQ1YRb1QcM/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" /></a> The last photo is along side Independence Square looking at more beautiful floweres. The clock is never the right time, but the flowers make it worthwhile.</div><div> </div><div>Enough for now. Best wishes to all.</div><div> </div><div>Tom and Shauna<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_XWKAVA-LzkTZPNfmf5xae6ukYTUiHaxhVkpNv27rNQrsjAkmS35oBzOrCP7JSpPQBIsyDMSa-oWnngyYE_t9KyhSk8NfvjmP-lfrHvjiEMzpsawd3hD8BuRSgG-TdDkTOX7BiL6pvc/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518303699974842754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_XWKAVA-LzkTZPNfmf5xae6ukYTUiHaxhVkpNv27rNQrsjAkmS35oBzOrCP7JSpPQBIsyDMSa-oWnngyYE_t9KyhSk8NfvjmP-lfrHvjiEMzpsawd3hD8BuRSgG-TdDkTOX7BiL6pvc/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-43145675839722507362010-09-09T10:58:00.000-07:002010-09-09T12:23:07.593-07:00Mail Day in Kyiv<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeSMMLdzDM9BZybBNv-r1qhJS4pNcqO6WW0tNFJfYxT5jcA_JxePOzlTSQcfYHfncBPZmdDga67E1DW5QDd7L60Vo5_jGYfz37yHq7Hj0aRjndhIb8x9etlfqrlAk-aC_k64yNOCWqo4/s1600/Jor_Han.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 227px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514983853257440386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeSMMLdzDM9BZybBNv-r1qhJS4pNcqO6WW0tNFJfYxT5jcA_JxePOzlTSQcfYHfncBPZmdDga67E1DW5QDd7L60Vo5_jGYfz37yHq7Hj0aRjndhIb8x9etlfqrlAk-aC_k64yNOCWqo4/s320/Jor_Han.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Hello, </div><div> </div><div>We received two different types of mail today that gave us good news. Jan sent us Jordan's baptism announcement as a reminded that she was baptized on the 14th of August. Great job everyone in Airzona.</div><div> </div><div>Then in tmail today we received a nice picture of Hannah telling us hello in Russian. "Hello to Grandma and Grandpa" for you non-Russian speakers. It was fun. Also, Britt and James sent us a care package that included two great big bags of marshmellows (wow, but they will not last very long). We will enjoy them. That is one thing that I have not found here at all. They also sent us a desparately needed batter and charger for our camera. After turning Kyiv upside down for a battery charger, we cam up empty every time. They do not seel chargeres separately from the camera, and we were not too keen on buying another camera. </div><div>At any rate, the postal service came through very well. It was one week from the time they sent it until it arrived. Much better than we were told. So thanks very much.</div><div> </div><div>We gave a lecture at the Kyiv Mohyla Acadamy (National University) this evening on the LDS Church including the temple. It was well received with lots of interest. We were asked if we were the same as Monks when we described our Word of Wisdom and missionary service. We had a good time.</div><div> </div><div>Well, Mom and I just expereienced our 43rd anniversary. Only 7 more till the Golden one comes upon us. We are doing well still recovering from the exhaustion of the temple dedication. Still more to do than we seem to have time for.</div><div> </div><div>Bye for now.</div><div> </div><div>Dad and Mom</div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699342301865682543.post-16839867971995230072010-09-08T12:20:00.000-07:002010-09-08T12:38:19.762-07:00CES Anniversary<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8rxiguwNUUHAHqYdFK7vNmcRO6oPfSGhDhE17Cc33HCDgCqQJwLbIi2Nk71n4or26RjUh9BnwTJI4PsLW2cwUKE5evS0XHi5b9u4qNYdnz_AD7O5RLL3cWT-PPDyt_M308aLX0ZZCi0/s1600/IMG_0092.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514628106896496130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8rxiguwNUUHAHqYdFK7vNmcRO6oPfSGhDhE17Cc33HCDgCqQJwLbIi2Nk71n4or26RjUh9BnwTJI4PsLW2cwUKE5evS0XHi5b9u4qNYdnz_AD7O5RLL3cWT-PPDyt_M308aLX0ZZCi0/s320/IMG_0092.jpg" /></a> Well, it was our anniversary today. We spent the day working and were supposed to host the CES class in the evening for awhile. It turns out the teacher never showed up and so we taught the class. We had a good time, and I think they all enjoyed it as well. You can make do by adlibbing, but it only works for one time. We are supposed to help out once a week until the new CES couple arrive, which may be several months away. We will see.<br /><div><br /><div><div>These are two students from our USU 18th Ward that came over to the Temple Open House. They both served missions in Ukraine. Chris Hupp and Rachel Russak.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrICyDPh8djVL78buh1TqRKUjfBEdFbDP9Pxu5r7gnbuPmQ-5bMHCCMmxYZxnqkScW3kW_lMu760kEUCWdfuaFFxiaz5YWTPR53qflTciquCLW-0mMmYRL7DiRhUgXdsarRjQB0ABMfI8/s1600/IMG_0111.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514628694116636722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrICyDPh8djVL78buh1TqRKUjfBEdFbDP9Pxu5r7gnbuPmQ-5bMHCCMmxYZxnqkScW3kW_lMu760kEUCWdfuaFFxiaz5YWTPR53qflTciquCLW-0mMmYRL7DiRhUgXdsarRjQB0ABMfI8/s320/IMG_0111.jpg" /></a></div><div>A picture of us before sealing up the cornerstone at the Kyiv Temple. Lots of memories and fortunate to be part of history. Not sure we will make much of a difference, but we hope to.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Dad and Mom</div></div></div></div>Tom and Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244360188200918865noreply@blogger.com0