The Ukrainian Bear

September 30th- October 6th

Greetings from Odessa!!

Well everyone I am here in Odessa! It is so awesome! This past week was by far the craziest week of my mission! I was just everywhere and so busy and crazy! So first I will tell you about my week then about Odessa!!!

So monday was way good. We met with the branch president in billa and his family for one last time! It was way sad saying by to them! I love them!

Tuesday we had our last district meeting in the morning then we did some creative finding with the sisters. We did a lot of advertising for English! We then visisted some families to say bye! IT was so hard to leave! We met with my favorite family! My first day in the country we went to their house and ever since I have just loved them. They treat us like family!

Wednesday we did studies in the morning then got ready and we headed up to Kiev with all my luggage! IT was quite the adventure taking everything on a little sprinter van! haha. We went straight to the mission office and dropped my stuff off then we went to the temple! IT was so amazing! The temple here is so awesome! IT was so beautiful and something I will never forget! I am so grateful that Kiev has a temple and that we have the opportunity to go to it! After the temple we went to stay with the Elders that live right in center Kiev. It was way cool. Kiev is so crazy and massive!

So thursday morning Elder fisher had to be at the mission office at 9 for training meetings. So I went with him of course and that was it. We officially left each other and I had no companion. My new comp Elder Ball wasnt coming up to Kiev. Usually at transfers there is a couple floating companions that need temporary comps for the day but I was the only one!! My train to odessa wasnt leaving until Friday night because we were waiting for all the trainers and trainees to be done with meetings! The assistants didnt know what to do with me. So first I did some work in the office for them. It was way fun. But after lunch some elders from Kiev came and picked me up! I just went with them for the day and did missionary work! haha. I then slept at their apartment too! It was way fun cause we had some other Elders stay with us too so I got to meet lot of missionaries that I have never met. It was way fun.

Friday morning we showed up at the mission off and once again I needed a companion for the day. So it turned out that the trainers didnt have to be in meetings all day just the trainees so I got back with Elder Fisher and a couple of other Elders and we went out. We did some studies then had lunch at TGI Fridays! so good! We then did some contacting in center Kiev then went back to the mission office. At this point I got with another Elder who was headed to Odessa who had been in meettings all day. He then was my comp till the train left. We did some stuff in Kiev then met with everyone at the train station. There was about 16 missionaries on our train headed down to Odessa. The train left Kiev at 10 pm. It was way cool. We had a room with four elders! We all had beds. It was soooooo hot on the train though. I couldnt sleep at all. It was so bad! I got like no sleep!!!

So I woke up Saturday in Odessa! I then got with a different missionary and we got a taxi to my apartment. We made it there and finally I got with my new companion Elder Ball. I was so happy to finally be home. It was so crazy. Elder Ball is so legit! He is one transfer ahead of me. THis transfer is going to be so fun with him! I am so excited. It is going to be such an adventure because we are both still very new at the language. I am way excited. So Saturday we did some studies and then he took me around the town. So in Odessa there is 5 branches. Our Branch is like the southern western part of Odessa. It is called Cheryomusky. It is way cool. We then went to the church which isnt in our area, and we had a meeting with our Branch Mission Leader. It was way cool. He is such an awesome guy!

So yesterday was my first sunday here. Church was cool. It was nothing like I am used to in Billa. First off everything in Odessa is in RUSSIAN! I am so happy. We actually sing in Russian and everyone talks in Russian. Back in Billa it was all Ukrainian. I am very happy about this. Also there was only about 20 people at church which is not normal for me. I am used to 80-90 in Billa. It was awesome though. The branch is way cool. All the members are very nice and I am excited! I am really excited to serve down here. I have still not seen the Black Sea yet. haha. We are about 15 mins from it. I will see it soon though. Also we didnt watch conference. Here they watch it the week after so next week we will watch it! I am way excited!

Well that is basically all. I dont know what else to say about Odessa. If you have questions just email me and I will tell you! Well Love you all! HAve a great week!

Elder Grochmal