New Granddaughter and Ukrainian musings...

FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT THINGS FIRST:

WE HAVE A NEW GRANDDAUGHTER - JESSICA!  SHE WAS BORN JUNE 6, 2012 TO CRAIG AND SHELYCE.  7 lbs 4 oz, 19.25 in.  We've seen her via Skype and she's beautiful.  Can't wait to hold her :)  She will get a lot of loving care from her parents, brothers and sister.


So, we been here a few months now, and there are so many things to contemplate when you don’t know what life was like for others.  Following are just some thoughts along the way...

June 2012 – since it’s now summer, we see more people on the streets and sometimes wonder what life was/is like for some of them.  One day out my kitchen window I noticed a man come and sit on the step across the street.  He was dressed poorly, appeared to be in his late 50’s or early 60’s and looked tired.  He smoked a cigarette and sat for a while.  A few minutes later when I looked out, I saw him lying on the step sleeping.  I wondered about him.  When he was a little boy in school, I’m sure he had plans and excitement for life.  I’m sure he thought the world was open to him.  What hopes and plans did his mother and father have for him?  I’m sure his mother never dreamed of him as an adult sleeping on a public cement step in the middle of town at 7:00 a.m.  When did life turn for him?  When did he lose hope and quit trying?  If his mother is still alive, what depth of sadness accompanies her daily?  When he wakes up each morning, or night as the case may be, what does he look forward to?  Does he experience little moments of joy or happiness along his journey?  A little while later, I looked out and a lady, probably in her 60’s, called a babooshka here, was leaning over him waking him up.  When he sat up she gave him two boiled eggs, some bread and something to drink.  She then went on her way around the corner.  He acknowledged her with thanks, put the bread in his pocket, ate the two eggs, sat on the steps a few minutes longer, and then stood up and disappeared around the corner.  Was that his moment of joy for the day?

Another gentleman has come a couple of times to play his violin on the street corner.  I wonder what his childhood was like.  His family may have been quite well off to afford to give him violin lessons as most people we’ve met here have not had the opportunity for any type of musical training.  He plays quite well and we can hear the music from our open kitchen window.  I wonder if when he was taking lessons he imanged playing in a theater rather than a street corner. He appears to have some sort of deformity.  Also worth mentioning is the accordian player who plays on the street across the railroad tracks.  He appears to be in excellent health, is very lively and an excellent musician.  I love hearing his music. 

Ok – I thought I was done with this on Saturday, but I HAVE to add something.  Today, Monday, there is an accordian player on this corner and I wish I had a picture because words can’t describe this as well.  I just saw a very small, old babooshka barely able to walk – every step in her houseslippers appeared to be a struggle.  She shuffled with a cane, back bent, and large burden strapped to her back.  She had on a bright blue dress and head scarf.  She shuffled extremely slowly over to the accordian player (who is much younger than she is) and dropped a coin into his cup.  Wow – talk about giving.

It has been way too long since I’ve updated this blog, and so much of interest has happened, but I can’t leave out the Easter celebration here, even though it was months ago.  There are several very interesting traditions for Easter.  One day we saw many people selling and buying willows on the street.  We thought they were a nice spring decoration, but soon found that they buy the willows and have them blessed by the local church leader of the Provoslavian church.  Also, one Sunday we saw many people on the streets and on the trolleybus with baskets of eggs covered with a cloth.  We also learned they take eggs to be blessed.  We heard that some of them are painted or colored with intricate designs.  Beautifully designed eggs are an intricate part of the Ukrainian culture.  Another tradition is the Easter cake.  A few days before Easter Sunday, you can see a huge number of these cakes in the bakeries and grocery stores.  Some people also bake their own.  We were fortunate to receive two cakes as gifts this Easter.  See pictures below.

Random Notes:

Following are some random (random, or various, is pronounced slew-china in Russian J) observations:


·        Most people dress up here for every day, especially the women.  Most wear dresses, and if they are going to work, they’re very nice dresses, many you'd think of more for a wedding or special occasion. 


·        School children, especially little girls, are dressed very nicely for school.  Most girls in the younger grades wear very cute dresses, tights, nice shoes, sweaters, etc. to school.  Also their hair is very well groomed.  They are dressed like children are dressed for Sundays in the states.  The boys look nice also – sometimes wearing suits for special occasions.


·      There must be very low crime here as children are allowed to ride the trolleybus by themselves at quite a young age.


·        Speaking of children on trolleybuses, whenever a child (maybe about 3-9 years old and adult board the bus and there is only one seat left, the child is always the one to sit in the seat while the adult stands.  In fact, sometimes unrelated people stand to give the seat to the child.


·        Again, speaking of children, most families have only one or two children.


·        Women friends, girl friends, and female relatives of all ages often walk arm-in-arm with each other down the streets.   


·        Again, speaking of trolleybuses – or did we finish that subject long ago? – anyway, I have received multiple bruises from them.  One day I was standing on the entry steps because the bus was so full, and I didn’t move my foot far enough out of the way when the doors opened again to let someone on, so the door went right over my foot.  I yelled “ow” but no one cared.  I’m sure they didn’t understand because the word is “oi” in Russian, not “ow.”  Another time I was in the middle of the crowd getting on, and was pushed and hit my knee on the steps.  Another bruise.  Today I was again on the steps (hmmm, seems like we end up on the steps a lot – that’s because we refuse to push and shove with our name tags on J and so are usually the last ones on the bus), and was not in the right position when the door opened again, so now have an upper arm bruise.  But that’s not so bad.  One day Leon got on and I didn’t climb on fast enough so it left without me.  Another time I saw a man on the bottom step hanging on with the doors squishing him from either side.  I think they finally got the doors closed after traveling about half a block.


·        I am so often – can’t even describe how often – reminded of growing up in the 1950’s as we view life here.  Some of the stores remind me of Frank’s 5 & 10 cent store that was around the corner from where I lived.  A five and dime store that had everything from a few toys to a necklace for a gift for your mom’s birthday, to pencils and hardware.  We loved going there.  Yes, Wal-mart has that now – but it’s just not the same as the “mom and pop” store.  Some of the styles of clothing, the tackiness of home furnishing styles and drapes – they love fancy drapes, the homes, the lack of fast-food chains and as mentioned before the lack of fear for children to walk the streets – all and much more take me back in time.  Ladies, remember when we used to use eyeliner or eye brow pencil and draw a little slanted line from the outer edge of our eyes toward our temples?  Yep, that’s in style here now.  I love it!  Oh yes, and ladies, remember the silky type scarves we used to wear on our heads – especially to cover the curlers when we just washed our hair?  We folded the square scarf into a triangle and tied it under our chin; or when we got a little older and more fashionable we tied it at the back of our neck.  Yep – you see them all the time here.  Not on younger women though.  Oh, and yes, the oilcloth table cloths.  Remember those?  You see whole shops filled with a variety of rolls of oilcloth that can be cut to fit your table.  M-e-m-o-r-i-e-s!


·        We sometimes go across the bridge over the railroad tracks and walk in a neighborhood that has individual homes, some of which look quite nice from the outside.  All have tall, non-see-through fences around them, but you can see grape vines growing over arbors.  The nicer ones also have tiled driveways.  If we leave the main street and walk through the neighborhood, many have unpaved, or very old paved streets, but are well kept cleanliness-wise and peaceful with cherry trees, lilacs or various plants growing.  Again, a recollection of the ‘50’s in the country – but this is in a city of 350,000.  

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Railroad tracks we cross on a bridge.

Example of paved driveway and walls seen in front of most houses.

Typical neighborhood street with little area for flowers or cherry trees.

There are a few large houses.

Not as nice, no trees, flowers, but walls  and gates.

Many, many very large apartment buildings and complexes.

Design on wall of house.  Typical narrow shady sidewalks in some neighborhoods.

It's cherry season!

·        The main street is beautiful in the summer.  The Soviets planted four rows of trees along the main street.  Beautiful shady sidewalks.

• ·      Speaking of sidewalks.  See how wide they are?  That’s so cars can drive down them if needed.  That’s not very often, but it does happen.
• ·        If we walk in the opposite direction, we soon find ourselves at the river where we see various people fishing, boarding a small private boat (don’t think private boats like at the marinas in California or Lake Powell, think worn out open hulled motor boat that looks like a row boat, but ok, there are some that are nicer) to get to the other side, or sometimes people dipping in the water to cool off.  On one of our evening walks there, there were young people dancing to salsa music.  One of the streets to the river is beautifully tiled and has several monuments and an eternal flame for soldiers killed in a war here. 
  
  
  

  

  You see tanks and war hero statues in all the parks.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Eternal flame.

  
  
  
  
  

  

  Dnieper River

  
  

  

  Main street in the evening.

   ·         We just bought a small loaf of bread today – 20 cents
  ·        You can get three to four medium onions for about 12 cents
  ·        But, a package of brown sugar (not really like US brown sugar) costs over $10 for less than a pound
  ·        I don’t think people here bake much.  We went with the sister missionaries to view an apartment and there wasn’t an oven.  When I asked about getting a little portable oven for the countertop the English speaking landlady said, “What do they need it for?”  Me, “To maybe bake some cookies or a cake.”  Her, “Cookies???  Cake???”  Another time I was asking a lady in English class something about the oven in our apartment.  She said she didn’t cook, but asked one of the guys for me.
  ·        Also, baking supplies come in such small packages.  The vanilla is powdered, and there is about one teaspoon in each packet.  Soda and baking powder also come in small paper packets – there are about 4 teaspoons in each one.  So, for someone who does a lot of baking, like me, you have to buy lots of packets at a time. (Update: just found soda at the open market in larger quantity)
  ·        As you are probably aware, drinking is a problem here and in Russia.  But it is so engrained in society.  We visited a school for autistic children and it happened to be some kind of children’s disabilities day remembrance, or similar celebration.  Anyway, when we arrived about noon, all of the adults were in the office sharing a shot of some type of liquor for the celebration. 
  ·        Also, interestingly enough, in the taxi we took today there was an open bottle of beer by the driver.  We got there safely as it was only about 9:00am, so he hadn’t had time to have much of it.
  
  
  A Day in the Life of a Senior Missionary
  We’ve been asked to describe a typical day in our lives as missionaries.  Hmmm, very hard to do as there is little typical.  When we first arrived we were told that “those who are flexible don’t get bent out of shape.”  That was a precursor as to what was to come J.  Each day we’re asked to exercise ½ hour, have personal scripture study one hour, personal language study one hour, and companion study one hour.  Depending on the day, we may take an early morning walk for exercise – as seniors we are more flexible, so sometimes we walk for an hour, but sometimes we don’t have time for a walk at all.  One typical day may include our study time, perhaps one to three 1-2 hour lessons in our home given by the elders.  
  On Mondays we start preparing to feed the elders and sisters for district meeting on Thursday.  We have to start early because of two reasons:  1. We usually have to go to four different stores/open markets to buy all of the food – all of which we carry home on foot.  2.  You can’t plan a firm menu until you view what’s available in the stores or open market.  It is very “in-season” eating here and some food items last only a short time.  Also, sometimes the store will be completely out of what you want – beef, a certain brand of milk, etc.  This can last for days.  Monday is also P-day (preparation day), so we try to get laundry and house cleaning done then.  Often, however, the elders will call 20-minutes ahead and ask to use our house for a lesson.  Which, of course, we’re thrilled about.
  Tuesdays we have English class in the evenings.  We try to prepare ahead, but if we haven’t had time, we prepare that day – along with our own studies and lessons and more grocery shopping.  We often get a chance to talk a little with people on the street or in the stores while shopping.  If we have a lot of fresh vegetables and fruit, Tuesday also includes up to two hours of washing and bleaching them. Again, we may also have lessons here that day.
  On Wednesdays we have family home evening in our home.  Again, we try to prepare ahead, but much of the day is spent in preparation (after our own study time).  It takes a lot longer to prepare as we try to find sources of material in both English and Russian so those who attend can participate by reading quotes, scriptures, etc.   It is a challenge.  We also like to have a game that adults like to play afterward.  Word games are pretty much out – but if you have other suggestions – we’d love some!  The largest portion of this day is actually spent in cooking for Thursday’s district meeting.  If veggies didn’t get washed yesterday – that’s also included, along with another trip to one of the stores or markets.
  Thursday is district meeting.  We rarely have time to study in the morning – that’s left until evening.  We cook all morning.  The elders and sisters come at noon.  We eat and then have our meeting, which lasts until 2:30 or 3:00.  I am always so amazed at the level of knowledge and maturity these elders and sisters display as they conduct the district meetings.  We often have an investigator lessons after that.  Then we collapse.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  We don’t always have such cute hats.  It was Elder Hansen’s birthday.  We also now have 2 sister missionaries - 8 total, and will be getting 2 more elders soon. - 12, including us.
  
  
  Friday is used for make-up study time, lesson preparation, lessons in our home, etc.  Leon has his branch president business to do and I have teacher trainer lessons to prepare – twice a month – again double time as I try to do Russian and English material.  We have a volunteer tutor that comes on Friday evenings for an hour.
  Saturdays we clean the church – it’s about a one hour round-trip trolleybus ride, start preparing for next week and sometimes have lessons in our home or visit a member.
  Sundays we attend church.  We leave about 8:00 am and get home about 2:30 or 3:00 pm.  As Branch President, Leon spends time before and after in council and other meetings.  I spend time after twice a month to give my lesson.  We get lots of time to be with members during this time.  Then when we get home, we have study time, prepare for the coming week, etc.

  

  Helping a member make her house livable.

  

  Fixing the fence on the church property.  We now rent, but get to build on this property if we get 70 members attending regularly.

  During the week we also visit one or two families (this takes several hours as you don’t just walk out to your car, but have to wait for buses, marchukee, etc. or walk to their home), do service projects (photos included), travel to a town about an hour away for an event or apartment hunting for the sisters, do apartment inspections for cleanliness of the elders' apartments, or visit a possible humanitarian project site.  We also sometimes cook a meal for mission presidency members who may visit Kherson.  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  We just started a new in-field language study program where we have to be “out-and-about” in Ukrainian society at least 4 hours per day.  “Out and about” does include listening to the elders giving lessons in our home in Russian, so that helps.  We also contribute to the lessons and the elders translate for us. Also, as part of the program we each have an individual one-hour lesson via Skype per week and also a combined lesson once a week.
  I guess you could say this is our “typical” day.
  
  
  
  
  FRIENDS
  Recently one of our grandsons asked via email if we had any friends.  We were happy to tell him about these nice friends:
  ·        Not long after we were here, we were riding to English one night on a very crowded bus.  The lady who weaves her way through the crowds to collect money and give people a ticket had just collected our money and then she motioned for me to follow her to the front of the bus.  At first I wasn’t sure what she meant, so I hesitated a little, but she again motioned, so I followed her about half way – very difficult to crowd through skin to skin bodies!  She again motioned to me, so I maneuvered my way to the front.  There she motioned for me to sit in her seat! (the ticket takers have a reserved, cushioned seat).  I thanked her among a few odd looks from the other passengers.  Finally when there were open seats, I began to get up to move to one of them, but she motioned for me to stay there and she stood right beside me.  She indicated the large mirror on the side where I could watch Leon at the back of the bus.  When it was time to get off, she motioned for me to make sure I knew Leon was getting up.  She was very nice.  Afterwards, I was critical of myself because I neglected to give her a card inviting her to church.  For quite a while after that I kept looking for her, but it was always a different ticket taker.  Finally about a month later, she was on our bus.  She recognized us and we exchanged smiles and greetings.  This time it wasn’t so crowded and I remembered to give her a card.  She had a big smile and held it to her heart and indicated “For me?”  I assured her it was and hoped she would come to church.  So far, she hasn’t come, but maybe some day.
  ·        One day we were at the Rinok buying vegetables, and when we were done, the seller lady smiled and stuck a bunch of mint into our bag for free.
  ·        Another time, we were at a different Rinok, and were going to buy three peppers.  The lady selling them placed them in a bag and handed them to us, but wouldn’t let us pay for them.
  ·        When we went to Simferopol for zone conference, we went for a walk by the river.  We were sitting near the river on a bench when the very nicely dressed (suit) man who was sitting on the next bench came over to see if we had a light for his cigarette.  Of course we didn’t.  Then a few minutes later he came back and gave me a chocolate candy, kissed my hand twice and talked to us for awhile - broken Russian/English. 
  ·        Today (May 19, 2012) we were taking the trolley to clean the church.  It was somewhat crowded, but soon after we boarded a sweet babooshka who was getting off at the next stop called to me “woman” (not rude to say that in Russian) and pulled on the straps of my purse and began to get up so I could take her seat. (Before someone else crowded in.)  
  ·        Also in Simferopol (May 12, 2012) we were on a marchootka on our way to the bus station to catch the bus back to Kherson.  I was sitting in one of the “foursome” seats, i.e., two facing front and two facing back and so it’s easy to have a conversation with four people.  The lady directly across from me was holding a lily with a very long stem.  I was pumped from the zone conference, and decided to practice my Russian, so I indicated the flower and said, “beautiful” in Russian.  She smiled and handed me the flower.  I smelled it and started to give it back, but she indicated that I should keep it.  We said a few words, like “missionary” and “America" and exchanged lots of smiles.
  ·        Marina and Myra, Leeza and Costa family at church each gave us a Ukrainian Easter cake for Easter.
  ·        An inactive lady, Olga, gave me a large – maybe 2 gallon – jar filled with home pickled things from the docha, i.e., tomatoes, grapes, pickles.  Also a jar of something else pickled, shredded carrots or cabbage wrapped in either cabbage leaves or pasta.  This was on the second visit to her house with the elders. – So nice of her.
  Random photos till next time:
  
  
  
  

  

  Cleaning the beach for a baptism.  You should have seen it before!
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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