Family Home Evening with the Tecamerov Family

The Tecamerov Family has 5 boys. We had family home evening with them and had a blast! Elders Hyer & Hess interrupted and Elder Ostler was there helping also. During dinner we talked about Christmas traditions. They celebrate Christmas like we do on the 25th of December. People in Ukraine celebrate on January 7th but because they are members of the Church, they have chosen to celebrate it when the majority of the church does. Sometimes this means that their children go to school on Christmas day. They enjoy caroling to the widowed in their branch on Christmas Eve then returning home and playing games. They also exchange gifts on Christmas morning. They read from Luke in the Bible about Christ's birth as well. After dinner the Elders gave a lesson and then President Tecamerov(he is the District President in Donetsk) told us a funny story. There is a certain food here called hol-i-dets and it is made with pig fat and other things and it is a traditional food that the members love. They always try to feed it to the missionaries and the missionaries don't like it. Well these 2 missionaries were at a members house and was served a large portion of holidets. When the member left the room, they noticed an open window so they took the food and threw it out the window only to discover that the 2nd window was closed! So all this food was dripping down the window. They paniced and quickly closed the drapes! Well needless to say they thanked the people for the food and needed to be on there way. They never ate at their house again! We were laughing so hard as he told this story - we didn't even need interruptation. His acting it out was all the interruptation we needed!!!

A VISIT FROM THE SISTERS

Back row: Sister Ludmilla, myself, Sister Khilova, Sister Howell, Sister Krivulya, Sister Kartoshova & Sister Burke. We got together and they fixed lunch. It was great to visit with them. I love them tons!!!!

New Missionaries November 2010

It is always a happy day to receive New Missionaires! They have such a great spirit about them!

Elder Young is from Springville Utah. He enjoys skiing, running, soccer, mountain biking, playing the piano and his mom's cooking! Elder Young is the 3rd Elder Young in our mission! We are very happy to have him here with us serving in Ukraine! His trainer is Elder Duke and they are serving in Cold Mountain(Kharkov area).

Elder Smith is from Houston, Texas. He enjoys baseball, football and basketball. His trainer is Elder Hazen(also from Texas) and they are serving in Mariupol. Mariupol is south of Donetsk on the Azoff Sea. We are grateful to have Elder Smith in our mission and we are grateful for the talents he will share.

Elder Bangerter is from Melba Idaho(near Bosie). He enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, skiing and all kinds of sports. We welcome him into the mission and know that he will be a great assset to the mission. His trainer is Elder Rice and they are serving in Alexsavka(Kharkov area).

Elder Noren is from Houston, Texas. We now have 4 Elders from Texas! It is so interesting to see so many missionaries from all over come to us. Elder Noren loves to wake board and to play basketball. He will also contribute so much to the mission. We are excited to have him here.! His trainer is Elder Winchester and they are serving in Gorlevka just outside of Donetsk.

At the Temple

We had a Mission President's Seminar in Kiev and we had the opportunity to go to the Temple! It was such a highlight to our seminar!
We enjoyed all that we learned at the seminar and we loved to see all the other Mission President couples. It was great to share our feelings and testimonies as this was our last one.
Three Mission Presidents Couples that served in the Ukraine Donetsk Mission (Pres. & Sis. Manchos 1996-1999, Pres. & Sis. Fry 2008-2011, Sis. & Pres. Christiansen 2002-2005).
The day after the seminar, we met Olya and Vitaly and Masha at the temple. It was a beautiful day to have a family sealed in the temple! They are such a special family to us. They were so grateful and happy to have this experience and we are grateful to have shared in their joy.
Elder and Sister Mead(humanitarin couple), joined Olya, Vitaly, Masha and us at the temple. Olya is the Mead's interruptor. When the Kinghorns served - they hired Olya and shared the gospel with her. They have kept in touch and I know they were here with us in spirit.

Missionaries Leave November 2010

This has been a wonderfull group to have worked with in the mission. They are all valiant servants of the Lord. Good byes are always so hard. Good job - well done!

Elder Smith goes home to Meza Az. Elder Moore goes to a new home(parents moved) in Frankfort Germany. Elder Hansen goes home to Cear Hills, Utah. Best to you all!

Elder Richardson goes home to Wilmete, Ill. Elder Walton goes home to Provo, Utah. We miss you already!

Elder Allred goes home to Mapleton, Utah. Elder Stirling goes home to Gilbert, Az. Good luck to all of you!

Along with our Elders, we send home a wonderful couple, Elder and Sister Mead. Thanks to all the wonderful projects you did as our humanitarian couple. The people here love you and we are so grateful you served here with us. You've touched many lives and made a huge difference!