Chad wrote a few weeks ago wondering my opinion on his asking for an extension. Of course I want him to come home on time, but I told him whatever the Lord wants for Chad is fine with me. I know the reason Chad wants to stay is because the new Kyiv Temple is due to be operating in September 2010. He wants to attend at least once before he returns home, I don't blame him at all. I happened upon this link through another blog (Kinghorn's Called to Serve). I thought it would be nice to add the same link. The members in Ukraine have to travel to Germany to attend the temple. What a sacrifice they make to obey the word of God. We are so fortunate to have so many temples here in the United States. We truly are a blessed people. Go ahead and look at the new temple under construction.
Kyiv Temple, Ukraine
I have just received some sad, sad news. A very close family friend has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is one of those that by the time it is discovered, it has already spread. This is the case with my long time friend. The doctors have given her about 3 months to live. What do you say to that? How do you offer words of support? Are there any words at all?
I grew up with this family. Their son, Frankie (Frank now), is only a few months older than me. We spent a lot of time together playing and swimming. I remember this one particular time when I was at their house playing. Lynn had some chocolate diet candy and Frankie and me wanted some. We didn't care if it was diet or not. So while I stood watch, Frankie climbed up on the counter and found the candy hidden behind some other things. He jumped down and we scarffed down that chocolate before we could be found out. That was the best chocolate!!
I continue to pray for them. I pray for God's strenghth and comfort to be with them all as they face these very challenging last days. I hope they all know just how special they are to me.
I never did finish telling about our trip through Tennesse, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas this summer. We stopped at a US Fish and Wildlife Preserve in Louisiana. Sam really wanted to see an alligator, me . . . not so sure. 
Our first sighting was not exactly what Sam had hoped for, but it was just about right for me. I got to thinking if they have to put a sign up to warn people about alligator crossings, then . . . there must be (at least occasionally) alligator crossings. Just thinking about the possibility and enormous bugs (no, we were not in TX yet) dive bombing my head, I decided I'd had enough. I went back to the van and Sam finished his stroll alone. 
I started having headaches again. I had one last Friday that was bearable, but it stayed all day Saturday and it wasn't. I keep trying new things to help control the pain, but nothing works. Sunday morning I woke up and it was completely gone. Yeah!! Of course I was counting my chickens a little too soon. Sunday night it came back with a vengeance. I went to work Monday with a slight headache. By 11:00 it was becoming too much. I got someone to cover my class so I could lie down in hopes that would help, no such luck. By 11:30 I was sick to my stomach and couldn't manage anything, much less 28 students. I called Sam to come get me. I left my car at work and Sam took me home.
Thanks to Sam, I got an appointment with a chiropractor (member of our ward). Sam is convinced my previous trips to a chiropractor cured past headaches. I'm not 100% sure, but they hurt so bad I'll try anything. So . . . I went and he realigned my neck. I really hate that!!! However, my headache did go away.
So, here I am not fully convinced about chiropractors, yet I already have another appointment next week. Let me know if you've had any experiences with chiropractors.
Can you believe it. My baby has started Jr. High. Friday was the first day. It was for 7th graders only. The 8th and 9th graders go on Monday, then everyone starts on Tuesday. He gets home from school before I get home from work. I called after work to see how his first day was. He said it was great and that he had made 7 new friends. I asked who they were. The first two names were girls names and I thought uh-oh. Then boys names started to come. He went through each class and told me who he already knew and if the teacher "rocked" or not. Overall, his first day was a success. He found out how fast his lunch time goes. He said he spent most of the time standing in line with little time left to actually eat. While he was standing in line, he got a little nervous. His friend had brought money for lunch and he knew he didn't have any. Of course he didn't remember me giving a lunch money check to the lady in the office a few days before so he was concerned he had no money for lunch. He told the lunch lady his name, didn't know his number, and she smiled and said go on. Kyle was relieved to have lunch on the first day. He walks to school with two friends that live on our cul-de-sac. He laughed when he told me about how "bad " their moms were Friday morning with their cameras. I laughed and said I'd have to get copies. So . . . as soon as I can get a copy of his first day at Jr. High, I'll add it to the post.
We did do some signboarding. We have some great pictures and new boards. I wll send a picture sometime. It works well, at the right time of day. It's really fun and we will do it again. It's kinda funny, people will go out of their way to see the sign, but don't want to talk. We do hand out pamphletes and invitations to church and English class. The sign has a picture of Christ with the children. The other is a picture of the Bible on one side of the world and the Book of Mormon on the other side. It looks really good. It asks the question What is the Book of Mormon and we do our best at answering this question. We were able to hand out one book, but the rest of the hour not so well. We did meet up with some of our members as well.
We have a new missionary, and he is doing great. It was funny because at the end of the meeting we did the one minute testimonies, and when it came to Elder Ray's turn, he asked in Russian or in English? It was kind of funny. I remember doing that.
With Love, Elder Christensen
The most categorical statement to date has come from Ukraine, a strong Georgian ally. On August 10, Ukraine warned that Russia’s actions could draw it into the fray. Ukraine may bar Russian navy ships deployed from the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Sevastapol from reentering the port, an August 10 statement on the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s web site reads.
Georgia claims that Russian ships from Sevastapol have landed some 4,000 troops at Ochamchira, a coastal town in Abkhazia, in a bid to open a second front in the conflict.
The government also claims that Russian ships are preventing other vessels bearing grain supplies from docking at Georgian ports. Lomaia estimates that Georgia has a 30-day supply in reserve.
"In order to prevent the circumstances in which Ukraine could be drawn into a military conflict ... Ukraine reserves the right to bar ships which may take part in these actions from returning to the Ukrainian territory until the conflict is solved," the statement affirmed. Ukraine, like Georgia, seeks entrance into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a move which Russia fiercely opposes.
Elizabeth Owen and Giorgi Lomsadze 8/10/08http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav081008.shtml
Ashton Jacob Miller was born this morning to the proud parents Jake and Jen Miller. He was 6 lbs 10 oz. and 20 inches long. Sam always has to ask "What bait did they use?" He says we talk about babies like men talk about fish. Ha Ha. He's absolutely beautiful and perfect. Jen is doing quite well as she was up and moving around when we got there. Jake looks somewhere between giddy and shellshocked.
Elder Carter, senior missionary couple serving in Chad's area, emailed me this morning on behalf of Chad. He was letting me know Chad had received his new debit card and would I activate it. Here is the remainder of his letter and a new picture of Chad and his companion, Elder Wagner.
I want to also let you know how close we have become with Elder Christensen. He calls me most every evening to see how our day was and tell us about his. He has become a trusted friend to us. He has always treated us with kind respect and is considerate and helpful. The work here is difficult and it takes courage and stamina to go out on the streets every day but he does it. I've listened to him bear testimony in Russian and it is genuine and heartfelt. In fact, we are teaching our most promising investigator with him and Elder Wagner and love both of them. We always look forward to being with them and since we see most all of our 10 missionaries 2-3 times every week I can tell you that we are keeping a good eye on him for his Mother.
He's grown a lot. He's a missionary you can be proud of!
Elder Carter
Kyle enjoyed his first midnight hike to the top of Timp. The group left at 2:00 A.M. and headed up the canyon. It's a 9 mile hike from the parking lot. He said they made it there around 7:00 A.M. There were only 2 deacons on this trip, but some of the young women went also. I asked him if he had fun, he said "ya." He did also mention that it was a once in a life time event, I told him no, he could do it again next year. I think he was hoping it would only be a once in a life time event. LOL. Chad hike Timp twice that I can remember and Tyler did it once. Even Sam has hiked to the top, but not me. I'm thinking we should try it a little later this year. What do you think?? Anyway, Kyle is safe at home and desparately wanting to go back to bed.
