The Ukrainian Bear

November 18th-24th

Hello family and friends!

Well another good week here in Odessa. I love it here so much. The weather has been lame. I havent seen the sun in a week. haha. Luckily it is not too cold yet so that is nice. Well my week went a little like this :

So last tuesday we had district meeting in the morning! Always amazing! I love my new district here. We are the biggest district in the mission with 6 companionships! So crazy. After district meeting we went and did some English advertising and then had a lesson at night with a recent convert. It was really good.

On Wednesday we did all of our studies in the morning. We then had to do some registration stuff with the apt. We then went over to our church to prepare some stuff for English. English was very good as always. We had a really good amount of people show up! So after English we went to sleep in Center Odessa with Elder Ball and his trainee. Our trainees had to go to a meeting the next day in Kiev so I was going to be with him for a while!

So Thursday I was with Elder Ball all day! It was just like good old times! haha. We had a lesson in the morning in Center! It was really good. It was with a former investigator man. It seems like he is interested. We talked about the Book of Mormon and how it can really bless and help his life! We then headed back to my area to meet with a less active! It was amazing! He is from Nigeria and is so awesome! I love him so much! We watched a conference talk with him and just talked about it for a while! He has such a strong testimony! Our trainees got home at about 9. So we stayed the night again in Center cause it is far away from home for us. Also Elder Hess brought down my Christmas package for my mom! So awesome! It is soooo big!

Friday we woke and headed back to our area in the morning! We then studied and did some contacting up until english! So at english I talked to one man for a really long time! He is pretty interested in the church. He speaks awesome english so that is really nice! haha.

On Saturday we we pretty busy during the day with studies and some advertising! Then at night we went with a member to help him with his home teaching! It was really fun! It is nice to be with the members and build good relationships! So saturday night I was thinking about who I could call to invite to church the next day. So we had this man we met a really long time ago but he told us to not call him until he calls cause he is super busy and has some document issues he is fixing. I just felt like I should text him to remind him about church. I thought nothing of it.

So Sunday morning we get to church and we are greeting people and about 20 mins before the meeting starts I get a call from this man and he asks if church is today and he said to me ok I will be there! So he showed up right on time! It was so awesome! He is also from Nigeria so we sat with him and the other member from Nigeria. After Sacrament they talked for a while and became good friends already! So I talked to him for a while and he told me he really like church. So he used to play soccer every Sunday and couldnt come but he doesnt anymore so he can come! Also he had document problems and all is well with him now! I know that this was a miracle from our Heavenly Father. We are meeting with him tomorrow and I know things are going to be awesome with him! He is such a good guy! I know that the Lord answered my prayers! I am so happy because of that!

Well Everyone I hope you have an awesome week! I love you all so much! Thanks for everything you do and thanks for the emails!

Love

Elder Grochmal