Monday, May 26, 2008

Privit, or HI!

It's me, Elder Hokanson. We had Zone Conference again, and it went well.

Weird things this week - I was on my way somewhere and I saw a teenage kid going somewhere, and and it looked like he had on only underwear and a shirt, or just a shirt. I said to myself, "Put on some pants!" He was with some friends and then he ran across the street, and it turns out he had nothing on. That's a first for me.

We have been working with members a lot here, trying to get those who haven't been to church in a long time to come back. One less active man came to church yesterday! It was great!

Sorry this is so short, but this Internet place is dang slow today. I am already going over time.

My pics - First one is of me in the metro, waiting for the train. The second is my companion, walking by the lake thingy by our apartment. The last is of the escalator going up from the metro...it's way far underground!

So, I am off for today. I will talk to you later, next week!

I love you all!

Monday, May 19, 2008

To all of you that are wondering where I am...I am in Kiev again and I am a District Leader, whatever that means.* My new companion has been in Ukraine for one transfer (so far 6 weeks), but he is from Kazakhstan. He is my first comp from outside of the USA. It's interesting. His first name is something weird...I can't remember, but people call him Max. His last name is Imangazi. In Russian/Ukrainian it sounds more like Imagazinov. He is a good guy.

I am serving in Venohradar (might be easier to say Venogradar). I am sending pics - one from my train ride,* and one of me and my new comp standing next to each other. And the last one - American food! I got to go to an American church member's house. He works for the embassy. He gave us root beer, mac and cheese, and Chex!

I don't want to be cut off this week, so I am only sending this small bit. I will get used to this Internet place again...it is the first Internet place I ever used when I first got here in Ukraine!

I love you all! Thanks for reading this week!

*Heather's Notes* Cody is trying to be modest, but the District Leader is essentially the leader of all the missionaries in his district (usually 6 - 8 missionaries). He reports to the Zone Leader who reports to the Mission President. It's a smaller position of authority, but it's still an honor that his Mission president would trust him with it! :) Also, the picture Cody took from the train is cool because that's how they got the idea for the Ukrainian Flag - It's only 2 colors, blue on top of yellow. It represents blue skies over yellow fields, just like the picture! :)

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Sorry...computer problems...my original email was deleted and I have to do another, so I only have time to attach and explain my pics.

First we have my last District photo. Second, I went to the Carpathian Mountains last week and this is a end shot after we all made it. Yes, it was windy, rainy, sunny, and it hailed until I had a brain freeze, but it was worth it, every step up there and back. The last shot is one of the many wonderful views along the way that we got to witness.

That's all I have time for... I hate my email sometimes.

*NOTE FROM HEATHER* We got to talk to Cody last Sunday, so we have a little more information. He is getting transferred today. He doesn't know where to yet. He is getting a new Mission President in June. His Preperation Days are changing from every Wednesday to every Monday starting next week! He is very happy and loves Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The language is tough of course, but he's comfortable with it and conversing well with people.
Make sure you click on the pictures so they get show up actual size to be able to enjoy the scenery and see more detail. You can also save them to your computer by right clicking and choosing "save picture." Enjoy!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Hi there! Its me Goki again and and we have had one good week! We had a baptism and so did the sisters. It was great, although this week I have not been feeling too well, and so I have had 1 and 1/2 sick days in the apartment almost. But I have felt much better today, so hopefully everything goes well. I get a phone call for Mother's Day, so as usual you get less email this week, but I will send a video of what we did last Prep Day. Yeah, we have a sweet park in town with a roller coaster. Its not Magic Mountain or anything, but you get a small feel with this short video of my district (just elders, not the sisters) and of the ride. My companion is front right; he is funny, right?

Sorry about the photos last week! This PC place uses a different zip format I think, so about that I will have to figure something out.