There were a couple of holidays this week. May 9th - Victory Day. And May 13th- Mother's Day. The first one is a pretty big holiday for counrties like Russian and some of those that were part of the U.S.S.R. like Ukraine. The latter is the one that I was more interested in though because as you know we get a chance to Skype home twice a year. Once at Christmas time and once on Mother's day. It was good to see my family and talk with them for a little bit. It was also fun to see the families of my companion and the other elders as well.
The apartment that we live in is right in the center of the city and so if there is ever a parade, concert, or any type of event where more that one person is involved it is right outside of our apartment. Normally there is a pretty constant amount of noise that goes on everyday around our apartment but on Wednesday the 9th it got a lot more crazy. It wasn't as ridiculous it can get during New Years but it was pretty crazy.
Last week the interenet people came and "fixed" the interenet. I am not quite sure what they actually did but I know that it invloved drilling and wire. All I know that after that the internet still didn't work. We later found out that they tried to install dial-up internet. I am nowt sure why but they did. There were some calls made by our Branch Presient after we found that out and then the agreement was made that next weelk (this week) another company would come and install fiber optics. This week we didn't see one worker at all around out branhc building and the interenet was still in the same state as ever, not. But then all of the sudden on Friday it started working. It isn't exactly what I would imagine fiber optics to do but I am just glad that it works now so we can do tithing and also talk to our families.
On Saturday there was a branch "Helping Hands" service project where the city gave us a teritory by the Bug River to clean up. We all put on the fancy Helping Hands vest things and grabbed some gloves and garbage bags and went to work. There was a surprizing amount of trash around and it was kind of deceiving at first. I didn't see it as I was at the other ond of the teritoy but one of the elders and some other members got interviewed by a reporter who showed up asking what we were doing and why.
After that we had the closest thing you can gfet to in Ukraine to a Ward BBQ. We had President Koshelev making "shashlik" (grilled meat) and had other food out and played games and ate. It was pretty fun, but not only that but we had a few non-members come and help with the service and that came to the "Picnic" (that is what they called it) and had fun with us.
Last week we were looking around and found this awesome place to buy suplize for embroidering. We looked around there a bit and decided that we were going to come back this week. During the week I unknowingly inspired Elder Ulrich to take up cross stitching. Today we two went and picked out for him so cloth and needles and embroidery floss (string for you heathens). The lady running the place was very interested in us and long stroy short she is anxious for us to come back to not only perhaps perchase more but to bring materials for her to read and learn more about our church. Missionary work in action.
Last week was practically summer and it was getting kind of afraid fopr Elder Clifford who is going to be here in Ukraine all summer. I was afraid that summer was going to get way to hot than is bareable. Summer here is already really hot but this "Spring" weather is already getting up there. I think it almost got up to 30 degrees C the week before last. This week though was a lot nicer. It has even for the past few days been showering which has been very enjoyable except for when you forget top close the window in your apartment and a you come home to water all over your rug.
Things are going great. Nastya Volos our investigator has agreed to be baptised but not on a specific date yet. She is really great and I can see her being a good addition to our Branch here in Vinnitysa. There are lots of other great people we are trying to work with as well. The other elders are working with a young man named Vova who is really awesome too.
Oh, we also got transfers this week. All four of us, Elder Me, Elder Clifford, Elder Ulrich an Elder Durtschi are all staying and this is mine and Elder Durtschi's last transfer and Elder Ulrich's second to last. Things are great and there is no where else I would rather be than here right now.
I appreciate all of your support!
Старейшина Класон / Elder Clawson
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