Unforgettable Ukraine

  In My Heart Forever (Part 2) A number of years ago, I was involved with a musical production entitled: "1856" The Musical . It was written by a dear friend, Cory Ellsworth. The theme was centered on the last of the handcart companies in 1856 to leave for the Salt Lake valley. The companies had left late in the season and were caught up in an early winter. There was much suffering as they encountered bad weather, food shortages, sickness, frostbite and much privation. Many died along the way and were buried in shallow graves. In the ending scenes of the musical, rescuers arrive bringing much needed food and support. Before that happens, there is a poignant scene where two women, dear friends, sing of the help they are sure will come. Although they look forward to a physical rescue, their faith leads them to sing of the spiritual rescue that Jesus Christ offers to all of us. A rescue awaits us though the journey may be long,  and if we bear it patiently in  faith and...

In My Heart Forever (Part 1) WARNING!! This post contains elements that may cause you to consider how God has richly blessed you because you live in a land that is free from war. This may pull at your hearts  and possibly release tears from your eyes. Recently, we were able to move from our hotel room (we had been there since January 25th when we were evacuated from Ukraine). We moved into a house in a small village called Nieder-Wöllstadt. It is so nice to have a real kitchen again with a full-sized refrigerator. Later that night, we received a call from the secretary of the Europe Area presidency to fill a temporary assignment to help with the refugees flowing into Poland from Ukraine. On the 21st, we flew to Krakow, Poland and after checking into our hotel, we went straight to the work at hand. There is a small operation centered at the branch here in Krakow to find and assist members of the church coming across the border. With that being said, it is not limited to just me...

  How to start this post is somewhat challenging. My heart is broken. I am reminded of a video about a boy who had been to the dentist. The effects of  the anesthesia  had not completely worn off yet and so he asked  in his bewildered state, "Is this real life?" I ask myself the same question.   Just a heartbeat away (or so it seems) we were in the capital city of Kyiv, rubbing shoulders with our Ukrainian friends. We moved freely among them soaking up their culture and becoming acquainted with their food and wonderful bread. Now, we have learned that our friends must now find shelter as their lives are in peril. The fortunate ones who live near the temple are now huddled together in the basement of the patron house. The feeling is surreal as I ponder on how quickly our life in Ukraine was flipped upside down. We read in Matthew 24 about the prophesied events of the last days before the second coming of Jesus Christ. We imagine what those things might be li...

 The Big Exodus It all started innocently enough. O n Saturday night, w e were hosting a little birthday party at our apartment for some of our senior couples. I had made a cherry cheesecake and a big apple pie. The Merkley's brought ice cream, the Southwick's brought drinks and the Blau's brought extra chairs. When we are living so far away from home and family, we tend to look for any opportunity to make life a little easier.  As I was saying, it all started innocently enough. Halfway through the pie and ice cream, the Southwick's received a call. Then the call went to the Blau's. The grim look and apparent shock was followed by the announcement that we must evacuate. This new directive from church headquarters signaled the evacuation of both the Kyiv/Moldova and the Dnipro missions by Wednesday. The topic of casual party conversations changed rather abruptly. The question on everyone's mind was, "Where will we go?" The party soon ended as all involv...

  The National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine This national museum is a collection of the various architectural forms found in every region of Ukraine. The oldest exhibit dates back to the 16th century. There are farm houses, barns, wells, beehives, windmills as well as portrayals of home life with traditional clothing and furniture. This is very much like the Open Air Museum in Tallinn, Estonia, but much larger. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Log farm house with thatched roof The main room of the house where all household projects are started as well as preparing and eating food. This is a typical wood stove used for heating and cooking. That looks like a baby cradle hanging from the ceiling. Many floors have straw as a covering. There are quite a few tasks that are done in this room Tool room. Notice the holdfast in the center to secure wood while shaping and carving. Making do with whatever was on hand - a beautiful woven fence made with green tre...

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra The  Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is a most fascinating  place here in Kyiv. It is a large campus (50 acres) of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The official name is " The Holy Dormition Kyiv-Caves (“Kyiv-Pechersk”) Lavra." The word dormition   expresses the belief that the Virgin Mary died without suffering, and is in a state of spiritual peace. The word  lavra  denotes a  special honor given to   monasteries and  bears witness of  special veneration of the Most Holy Mother of God.  That’s why they say that Lavra is  heavenlike  and consider it to be the earthly lot of the Virgin (holy land under the special protection of the Mother of God). It is believed that the area was founded in 1051 AD when Apostle Andrew (who lived in a cave near the site, overlooking the Dnieper River) started attracting followers. They also built caves to live in as well, living as ascetics. Over the years and some mud slides, it was decided...