May 5, 2014
Well people, apparently the craziness has decided to
follow me to Odessa. We were on lockdown again Sunday night, but other than
that I have not really been affected by it. Unlike in Lugansk, I do not live in
Center. But enough of that.
This week has actually been really great! On Wednesday,
my last day in Kiev, I got to do my first service on a dacha! A dacha is like a
summer home, and tons of people have them here. First we took metro to the end
of the line, then got on a bus to nowhere for a while, and then got off at a
random stop on the side of the road.
It was a beautiful day, and I have never
had so much fun pulling weeds. I also made friends with a kitty kat.
The Elders
spent the whole two hours digging out this massive tree trunk, which they then
threw on a pile to be burned. Ukraine is so cool. And it is so beautiful now.
Ukraine is actually beautiful! Everything is green, there are tons of tulips
and lilacs; the transformation has been amazing.
Thursday was a good example of what happens to a
missionary without a schedule. We had to be at the building by the temple by
10:00am to exchange companions because they don't have a transfer meeting here.
So I had to be there by 10:00am, but the train to Odessa didn't leave until
10:00pm. So I was stuck there all day. I think I sat on my bum for 6 hours and
wrote in my journal (trying to catch up), and talking to other people going to
Odessa. At one point we were like, "hey, we're stuck here all day, and
we're right next to the temple....can we go inside?" So we asked for
permission to go to the temple, and we got it! I never thought I would get to
even see the Kiev temple, and now I've been inside! Words cannot describe how
incredibly good it felt. So much peace, so much joy. Literally I could not
think of any of my problems. It was exactly what I needed. I'm telling you,
make every effort to make it to the temple.
That night was another stressful, "make sure
everyone makes it on the train," night, but not as bad as leaving Donetsk.
Everyone was in several four bed cabins (no open coupes!), and the Elders made
sure everyone's suitcases made it on the train. Which meant I arrived at my
cabin to discover it completely stuffed with suitcases. It also meant I had no
idea where my suitcases ended up, and had to do another "just lie down in
bed and don't think about it." Still not as bad as leaving Donetsk. And
yes, I had a bed, because after the two other sisters sharing a room with me
arrived, we tetrised everything around and managed to fit everything and expose
three beds. Boss status.
Friday morning we were greeted at the station by our new
companions. Sister Gillespie (Geelespee) is so cool! She's a lot like me,
except she dresses way better. But we get along real well. Maybe too well. We
already have a goal to stay better focused. She has also already been a Sister
Training Leader for a while, so she knows what she's doing :) We share an
apartment with two other sisters, Sister Beaudin (she's from the Donetsk
Mission) and Sister Huntsaker. They are both awesome, which makes living with
four sisters much easier. I'm really excited for this transfer, and feel some
good things coming up :)
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| with Sister Gillespie in Odessa |
My branch in Odessa is very, very small. Maybe 25 people
(non-missionaries), mostly older folk, and I think maybe two families. And now
it's overstuffed with missionaries. I think we account for a third of the
congregation now. Sister Gomm, whom I replaced, used to play the piano for
Sacrament Meeting, and so now I do. It feels good to use my piano skills again.
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| the chapel in Odessa |
Nothing much else to report on, but this next week should
be good. Enjoy the nice weather! It was really warm here, but then recently the
temperatures dropped, but I already put away my coat and tights, so now I'm
just toughing it out. I'm surprised I haven't been told I won't be able to have
children yet. It is also about to hit monsoon season, so that should be fun :)
Love you all!
Sister Tanner
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| a park in Odessa |
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