Sometimes, Things Are Just On Fire (Week 6)

So, I don't know that I've mentioned this before, but sometimes, in Ukraine, things are just on fire. No explaination as to why, or how. Things are just on fire. Not just smoldering, or a little bit crispy, but genuinely engulfed in flames. I noticed this on my second or third day here, when I was on the road down to Kherson. We passed by a whole bunch of very square patches of burning earth immediately next to the road. We even passed a single tree which was entirely immersed in inferno, all of its neighbors totally untouched.

I pointed this out to Elder Ditty, and he didn't believe me. That is, until we walked a few more meters and turned a corner, only to find that the corner was on fire. No reason, just on fire.

So, Monday, I made some traditional Ukrainian pastries. They didn't turn out great, the recipe was vague and poorly translated. I will figure it out though!

Tuesday, I'm sure things happened, but I can't remem... oh... wait... no, I remember. We did an audit! For three-and-a-half hours! It was not fun. Not fun at all.

Wednesday we went all around the city, all over the place. It was fun.

Thursday we taught a lesson to a less-active who has been lovingly dubbed "The Tank", because he's just that cool. He actually finally came back to church after 3 years of not coming. It was awesome! Anyway, Thursday night, we went to Nikolaev. Again. This time for Zone Conference with President Sullivan.

Friday, I was on exchanges with Elder Kalt again. We walked all over Nikolaev, and I came to realize that I don't really like Nikolaev all too much. We did talk to a cool guy though, and interestingly enough, young women there aren't totally terrified of talking to missionaries, so we were able to invite quite a few people to come to church.

Saturday was Zone Conference, and it was awesome! I love President Sullivan! I have a feeling he's the only person outside of our district who sees Kherson's potential. He's also just a great guy all around, very spiritual, but also very funny and personable.

Sunday, The Tank came to church! And there were 20 people there, more than I've ever seen here! Then we went and talked with the Elder's Quorum president here so we could strengthen him a little bit. He wants to go on a mission around November.

And that's all... Yup... That's my life. One other funny thing, Elder Ditty is 100% addicted to deviled eggs. Apperantly they aren't a thing in Utah, because no one from Utah that I've talked to has even heard of them. Anyway, I made some for Sunday dinner one week, and now he's hooked. He always wants them!

Peace out

Elder Robison

Pictures, what?

Elder Ditty, Elder Newberry, Elder... Don't know him, Elder Kalt. That's the gang! Gonna be with Elder Newberry and Elder Kalt next week while Elder Ditty is at Zone Conference. Sure wish I could figure out who that tall guy is, he's in a lot of my pictures!

This is President Sullivan destroying Elder Kalt. This probably needs some explaination...

So, President was doing an example here. The left side of the room is drawing closer to God, and the right side is Satan's territory. President had Elder Kalt move towards God for a while by doing worthwhile things (Praying, studying the scriptures, helping other people, keeping the Sabbath, etc). Then, as Elder Kalt stopped doing those things, he drew closer to Satan's territory. Then Elder Kalt made a mistake, and he slipped into Satan's territory. Upon entering, President Sullivan snatched him and reastrained him, representing Satan's ultimate goal of trying to make us feel hopeless and without agency. It was mostly just impressive how President, a man in his 60's was able to launch Elder Kalt into the air.