District Conference in Kharkov & Trainng in Sumy

Elder Mead with the Presiding Authority -Elder Manchenko(from Moscow)
Sister Katusov(on the right) the District President's wife and another sister that fixed a meal for us after District Conference.
President Katusov and one of his daughters, Sonya.
Counselors in the District Presidency in Kharkov.
Second Counselor in the Mission Presidency, Pres. & Sister Pacilliyak.
Another daughter of the District President, Dasha, and Sister Mead.
Some training I did with some sisters in the Sumy Branch.

11 New Missionaries! That's a New Record!

Elder Clarkstone is from Niagara Falls, On. Canada. He is a pianist and percussionist. He was involved in many clubs in High School and the community including a translator of French-English. He received many recognitions and scholarships including the Top Grade 12 Student Award. He also held many leadership positions in the Church and received his Duty to God as a Deacon, Teacher & Priest.
His trainer is Elder Hyer and they are serving in the Kharkov area.

Elder Demyanov is from Chelyabinsk, Russia the Yekaterinburg Mission. He served as a Missionary Coordinator, Librarian, and First Councilor in the Elders Quorm. He also served a mini mission as well. He has had a great desire to serve a mission since he was baptized. He enjoys art, music, ceremics, karate and he worked for 1 year designing advertisements. His trainer is Elder Tillotson and they are serving in the Kharkov area.

Elder Finneran is from Kaysville, Ut. He enjoys choir, soccer, tennis and oil painting. He plays the Native American Flute and the Cello. He has been involved in various school organizations and charity work. He has received many awards for his flute playing and oil paintings. He has held various Church callings as well. His trainer is Elder Wadsworth and they are serving in Gorlevka.

Elder Jahnert is from Zwickau, Germany. He is the 6th of 7 children. He enjoys sports, computors, metal and wood technology. He has served as a Ward Missionary, Counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency and Secretary to the Stake Young Men Presidency. His trainer is Elder Duffy and they are serving in Petrosky.

Elder Jensen is from Kaysville, Utah. He enjoys golf, debate, piano, guitar, music composition and communication. He has held various Church callings including Gospel Doctrine and Gospel Principles instructor. He also worked as a judge for the debate tournaments. His trainer is Elder Brinton and they are serving in Lugonstk.

Elder Mueller is from Redmond, Wash. He enjoyed playing soccer at a high level for 6 years. He also enjoyed playing the clarinet in the High School Band. He is a hard worker and enjoyed serving as Ward Missionary. His trainer is Elder Howard and they are serving in Sumy.

Elder Prince is from Las Vegas Nev. He participated in the Ward Choir and is an Eagle Scout. He also participated and placed 3rd in State Health & Science Competitions. He also was involved in leadership positions in the community and state organizations. He was an instructor for Elder's Quorum. His trainer is Elder Beus and they are serving in the Kharkov area.

Elder Rice is from West Jordan, Ut. He is a Utah endorsed medical assisstant, a math tutor and a volunteer with disabled children. He participated in the
Ward Choir and is an Eagle Scout. He has held various ward callings. He also plays the piano. His trainer is Elder Richardson and they are serving in Soltivka which is just an area in Kharkov.

Elder Thomas is from Magnolia, Tx. He enjoys sports and was on the football team and soccer team in High School. He loves exercising. He was also the Senoir Class Vice President. He also served in various Church callings suchas the secretary in the Elders Quorum Presidency. He is a very hard worker. His trainer is Elder Jones and they are serving in Kharkov area.

Elder Tilgner is from Wulfen, Germany. He enjoys all sports. He also enjoys auto mechanics. He has served as a Primary teacher and a counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency. He is talented in organizing and motivating and is very creative. His trainer is Elder Smith and they are serving in Petrosky.

Sister Ziganshina is from Valdivostak, Russia. She has served in various callings suchas the Gospel Principles Teacher, a Branch Missionary and a Primary President. She enjoys teaching children and has been an active member of the youth organization commitee. She enjoys making jewelry, croucheting and badminton. Her trainer is Sister Khilova and they are serving in Sumy.

Goodbyes to some of the Greatest!!

We sadly said goodbye to these great young men! But we know that parents wait anxiously to greet them. From lft to rt: Elders McKinney, Greener, Misirenko, Wright, Kerr, Woodhead, Stevens, Crowther & Miganov. Missing is Elder Badrusev that left earlier on a train.

Elder Kerr, Elder Misirenko, Elder Crowther. They have been fed well this night.

Eldser Greener, Elder Miganov, Elder Wright. Don't they look happy!

Elder Crowther, Elder Stevens, Elder McKinney - their last meal in Ukraine!

Elder Woodhead and Elder Greener. Let's get this show on the road!

Elder Misirenko's brother and mom. His brother just finshed his mission to Russia a few months ago. They planned to be gone the same time so they'd only be a part for 2 years. It was very nice to meet them. It's great to see the missionaries with their families!

Elder Crowther's parents came to get him. It was so nice to meet them. The Meads, our Humanitarian couple, helped in the district that Elder Crowther served in and they became close. What a great family!

Members in Donetsk Centrally Branch Open House

I can't remember her name but she was just released as the Primary President, Sister Koslov and Onya.

Nastya and Marina

The Ladies in charge of family history.(sorry can't remember names)

Lillian the Librarian.

Natalya - she was the Relief Society President but she has been put in as the new Primary President.

Representing the Priesthood for the Open House is Marina's brother, Onya's son and Sasha.

Elder and Sister Mead(Humanitarian) and Olya their interruptor.

Elder Tsaturyan( from Armenia) and Sister Nastya( a minni missionary from Donetsk) greeting people as they come in.

President and Sister Gooshen(Branch President in Mariupol) came to visit the open house.

President Victor Koslov( 1st counselor in the Mission Presidency).

The kitchen help from the Donetsk Centrally Branch. I promise they are happy!
Masha and a new convert of almost 1 year(sorry I'm not the best with names)
Olya - the Meads interrpetor and our tutor. She has been helping President with a talk he is giving in Russian for Kharkov District Conference.
Ludmilla, Julia and Masha. Great helpers in the kitchen.
Katya and Katya and Sister Seachova - our intertainment. They provide the most beautiful violin and piano music!

I'm Back in Ukraine!!

I went home for some surgery and everything went very well. The most wonderful experiences has been visiting with my family. I've posted some slide shows of my children and grandchildren. We've had some great talks and sharing our experiences and feelings along the way. I've been able to share about our mission in Church and Family Home Evening. That has been very exciting. I've gotten to know some people I sat by on the plane and shared the gospel. It was a great feeling. I had a wonderful blessing before my surgery from my son and son-in-law and all went well and I recovered very quickly. I visited with my in laws and gave them the low down on the mission. It felt so good to share experiences. I now know how the Kinghorns feel, being at home, and sharing about their mission. It is the most exhilerating feeling and I enjoyed every minute!I have worried about my husband while I was in St. George but the missionaries and couples rallied around him and he was well taken care of. I'm excited to be here and to get back on my schedule. I still get worn out and have to take things easy but I'm ready to go. We have 3 busy weeks ahead of us. I love and miss my family but I know that this is where I'm suppose to be. I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of Ukraine and these great young men & women, our missionaries. I look forward to the next 20 months!!!

Missionaries Arriving in September 2009

Here they are! Five Elders and One Sister!!!

Elder Barton has lived in Kenya, Bolivia, Nepal, Peru and Egypt! He enjoys tennis, ultimate frisbee, and is an Eagle Scout. He speaks Spanish fluently and he completed a Duty to God project at a Leper Colony in Egypt. We are glad he is here with us now.

Elder Belyeu is from Alabama but worked for a year in Texas before coming on a mission. He enjoys fencing, automotive maintenance and is an Eagle Scout. He recently served as a Branch Mission Leader and Assistant Clerk. We are happy he is in our mission.

Elder Ryser is from Sandy Utah. He is an Eagle Scout and is certified in CPR and First Aid. He enjoys sports, snowboarding, wakebarding, music and friends. He worked as a life guard for 3 years. We are certainly glad he is in our mission and grateful for his CPR and first aid skills!

Elder Lott is from South Carolina. He enjoys cross country, track, scouting, computers and friends. He participated in the Student advisory council, Beta Club, National Honors Society and Student Ambassador. He worked at ICareKits.com for 2 years and Coldstone Creamery for 2 years. Welcome to the mission. We are glad to have you here with us.

Elder Beck is from Oregon. He is an Eagle Scout and enjoys cross country, track, choir, work, reading and snow boarding. He worked in various Priesthood callings in his ward and worked on a farm. We are so grateful to have him in our mission.

Sister Burke is from Georgia. She was a part of the Marching Band, Color Guard, National Latin Honors Society in High School. She also enjoyed playing the clarinet, reading, writin, cooking and being in Young Woman's. She recently served as a Relief Society President in her student ward and worked as a resident assistant for 2 semesters. We are always so grateful to have Sisters serve with us in the mission.

Yummmmmy Breakfast!!!!!

Goooooood food!!!

The assistants, office Elders and our new Missionaries enjoying breakfast together!

We are always happy to eat!

Soooooooooooo Glad to be here!