Elder Dillon Stott - Ukraine, Kiev Mission: Week 23

This week was a crazy one. Weather is super crazy and random, and we're staying super busy down here in Chernivtsi.

President Rizley came down to visit with us on Tuesday. It was super good to spend time with him and get some pointers from him. He gave me a lot of personal advice which I am so thankful for.

It was a pretty normal week. We still spend lots of time looking for people to teach. On the street, over the phone, through our area book, activities, English practices and so many other things. There are a lot of opportunities but we get dogged quite a bit. We don't have any investigators at the moment, but we are also working a lot with the branch and some less active members of the branch. Truly making the most out of our 13 hour days.

There are so many amazing people down here in Chernivtsi. We meet so many people and they are just awesome. Here is a picture of Vova, Julia, and Bogdan. Some of the coolest people I've met on my mission. We went to get sushi together for Sister Romney's birthday! They are so fun.

This week our washer broke. It's super old and janky and I think from prehistoric times. I didn't understand how it worked, not only because it was in German. So I started a load of laundry without closing the barrel all the way. There's a latch on the inside that closes the cylinder and I had no idea. so i start the washer and leave. It's making weird noises but Elder Likhachiov says that it always does. But he said it sounded weirder than normal. I left to the other room and he yells my name. I come running to the bathroom and sure enough our washing machine is smoking! It burned through the belt that turns the cabin. BUT, we went to a little store and bought a new belt. The guy told me how to do it (in Ukrainian) so I really had no idea...I don't study washing machines too much during language study. But, we cracked it open using our kitchen paring knife as a multi-tool. The belt was too big and it started burning too. So I had to cut it down with a box cutter and the belt looks super sketch. BUT, it works now. I'm learning so many things out here!!

This week was daylight savings, but ours kinda got cancelled. We had a district conference for all church members in Western Ukraine. Our train left at 6 AM so we had to wake up at 4:30. Our train tracks got jacked up so our 4 hour ride turned into 5 and a half. We got to the train station in Lviv and there were absolutely no taxis, because of a marathon going on! So, we walked in the pouring rain 30 minutes to the church building. I was wet until we got home at midnight that night. We made it to the last 30 minutes of the 2 hour conference, but got to say hi to all the other missionaries. It was super fun and a good experience. We rode the buses back, and then our departing train went super slow, so we we got home at 12 AM instead of the expected 10:20. There goes daylight savings!! haha. Then we were up today at 6:30 like always.

Today a huge windstorm caused a power outage across the city, so we chilled in the church building, ordered some pizzas and played 3 hours of monopoly with the other missionaries. It got intense. We have a super tight district. During our game I said "I bet the power's back on", just joking around. Everyone was like "yeah right" and then I got up and turned on the light and there was light. We were so excited. Had to be there - it was the funniest thing ever.

This week was a strange-feeling one. Hard to explain. But, as always, we're working super hard to accomplish the thing that the Lord has commanded us.

Shoutout to my momma for the Halloween package! Easiest and longest distance trick-or-treating in world history?? I think so.

Have a great week. Find an opportunity to serve.

Elder Stott