Kharkiv Center is really different from Novy Doma even though they are only 30 minutes away on the metro. They feel like different worlds. Novy Doma was more of a family community with lots of kids parks and little shops, but Center is a full on huge ol' city. It's weird to adjust to, but it's lots of fun and there's always lots going on and always lots of people to talk to!
This week we contacted a lot because most of our investigators wern't able to meet this week, but we had some good conversations and even sat and talked with a Jehovah's Witness and her son for a solid 45 minutes. She was really nice and it was probably the single most civil conversation I have had with them. It's refreshing to talk to someone who believes differently but can still have a conversation with you.
We also met with a young couple here that have been taking the lessons and meeting with the missionaries for almost 9 months. They are the COOLEST. Their names are Janna and Peter and they have a little son. We met with them before English practice and we got to know each other and talked a little bit about the Gift of the Holy Ghost and it was really great. They also came to church on Sunday and stayed for both hours (something they don't usually do)! We're trying to figure out what to do with them now since they've had all the lessons twice already and they are sooo ready to be baptized but Janna says she doesn't feel it in her heart that she's ready. More on them later though.
After English practice we did a tour with the new people of our church building and talked about our church a little bit. Sister Rawlinson and I were a little nervous to do it but it actually went super well! Everyone took a Book of Mormon at the end and two of the women were really interested and said they wanted to come next time and learn more. Sister Rawlinson also accidentally asked them if we could hug and meet up when she meant to ask if we could exchange numbers and meet up hahaha (the verbs are very similar:). They got a kick out of it.
Sunday was the best day by far. The Kiev temple president and his wife came to our branch and then did a fireside for the area in the evening. It was SO cool. President and Sister Roti are my new favorite people, I could listen to them speak all day! They said a lot of great stuff, but I really liked when Sister Roti talked about how if we make Jesus Christ the focus of our lives, our circumstances aren't important. If He is the focus of our lives then we will always have joy because He is the source of lasting, true joy. So goooood. During the fireside they talked about temples and they even invited our investigators, Janna and Peter, to come up and introduce themselves! He told them that when they know that this church is true they need to tell the missionaries and branch president and then get baptized and be sealed for time and all eternity. Woah. It was super straight forward but I think it might be good for them since they've kind of stagnated a little bit. President Roti also talked about how the temple is like a magnifying glass and helps us to realize what the truly important things in life are. I also got to see Sister Bevziuk (!!!) and some of the people we taught together. It was the funnest reunion! It's nice to not be super far away from them so I can still see them once in a while.
Other stuff:
-We had sport night and it gets intense haha. They take their volleyball games very seriously and it was a lot of fun. We also had over 20 people come which was awesome! Also, the cardinal sin during sport night is if you are responsible for losing the volleyball over the fence--everyone will low key hate you for a little (it takes like 15 minutes to get it back).
-We ate dinner one night at this cute little coup cafe and they put the soup in little edible cups! It was the coolest!!! And tastiest. Genius.
-Sister Rawlinson and I were walking home one night and there were these two guys standing to the side and one of them (in English, not realizing that we spoke English) that we were pretty and so Sister Rawlinson stops and says hello! And the guys freeze and just stare for a second and then Sister Rawlinson kept walking hahaha. It was so awkward but ah so funny.
That is all for this week! I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week:)
Love,
Sister Kropelnicki
Left to right, Sister Bevziuk's new greenie, Sister Bevziuk, me, and Sister Rawlinson
Me and Sister Rawlinson
No comments:
Post a Comment