This week we had the mid-transfer training meeting and instead of having to take a 12-hour bus there, we got to just skype in. I think I prefer the bus. HA kidding. One part that I really liked was when President Wirthlin talked about when the area patriarch (he only comes to Odessa every once in a while) came last and gave patriarchal blessings, all 12 tribes were represented in the over 80 blesings that he gave. It's so cool! We are literally gathering the decendants of Israel and I feel so grateful to be a part of it!
We also met with Zeena this week and we ate some baklava and talked about Nephi 11 and the love of God. She still loves to read the Book of Mormon and she really loves meeting with us, but she doesn't have a very strong desire to be baptized which is a little hard. We're going to keep meeting with her, but not as often I think. Keep her in your prayers though--I know she will get baptized one day.
This Thursday was also Вішиванка (vishy-vanka) day so we wore our vishy vanka (traditional ukrainian embroidered clothing) to english practice. It was so fun! We also talked about Ukrainian superstitions at english practice... in summary there are a lot of them.
The Odessa area also had a big "mini mission" youth activity and Sister Hatch and Sister Butler and I got new "companions" for the day. It was so much fun! We visited some branch members with them and finished with ice cream. It was a good time.
Some extra stuff:
-We were buying groceries this week at our grocery store (АТБ) and Sister Hatch started to talk to the security guard as she was checking out and he was really interested in the Book of Mormon, and then our cashier was listening in and asked Sister Butler and me for our number because she was interested too, and then we gave the guard a pamphlet, but by that time all the cash register people were listening in and they wanted to know more about what the heck 3 girls are doing in eastern Ukraine, and in short АТБ contacting was a success. It was so cool! We walked out of the store like "what just happened?"
-Update on our morning soccer: We have gone every day this week and now everyone at the sports facility knows us! It's the best! We met this guy from Nigeria named Obi who is playing soccer here and he is SO nice. He even played with us for a little bit this morning and he was so good about not schooling us too bad (it was still pretty rough though...it's not hard to make us look bad :)
-We also went to the catacombs today with the elders and it was SO cool! We did it in Russian because the english tour wasn't for another hour and it was awesome. I felt like I was in the Russian version of National Treasure. People hid out in the catacombs during WWII and they stretch out for miles (it's pretty easy to get lost in them unless you have a guide). Светлана (Svetlana) the babushka kept us safe though.
This week we had some rough contacting and tracting experiences, but it's made me think about how if our confidence and trust is in the Lord, what happens to us doesn't have to really effect us that much. I know that Christ is always with me, and even though it can be really hard here sometimes, it's never too hard for the both of us! :) And even when we were feeling a little down, that's when I really noticed the tender mercies. I know Jesus Christ loves all of us--espcially you!! Have a wonderful week everyone!
Love,
Sister Kropelnicki
Sister Butler, Sister Hatch, and me in our vishi-vanka dresses
Our "Mini Mission" companions
In the catacombs
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