Where in Ukraine will Elder Larimore be???

This week is transfer week and I am going to be transferred, I know already because Elder Western is getting a greenie, a new missionary, and has been warned, haha, President called him and congratulated him on it. It is kind of a bittersweet feeling. So on Thursday I will be in a new area, where in Ukraine will Elder Larimore be next? Being a missionary is awesome and I am so glad for this opportunity I have to serve. I am thankful for the opportunity I have to experience this new culture. It is quite a unique experience. I know that our Savior lives, I know that this church is true, and that we have a Prophet here on the Earth today. I love you all! It is kind of a bittersweet feeling. I am definitely ready for a new area but the same time I feel like there is just so much that needs to be done here, I guess its all part of a mission.

Snow Storm

This week we had a snow storm again. I woke up one morning and there was snow everywhere. I got some pictures and I took some pictures with Elder Western in a giant field of just white snow. It was so crazy how much snow there was. We just got back from playing a great game of soccer on P-day! It was Ukraine Vs USA. We had all of the Elders down here in Odessa get together and play some of the members and nonmembers that challenged us to a game. How could we turn that offer down? Well we went, we played, and we conquered! The final score was 6-5. It was a lot of fun but a little bit chilly. It was nice to get out and be active; although we walk all day long it was great to get some real exercise.

First Talk in Russian

Sunday I gave my first talk in church. It was fun and it was probably the most pack sacrament has been since I have been in Cheryomushky branch. There were 57 people there. Well anyways I gave my talk on the Atonement and missionary work. I think that I impressed a few people in the branch, my Russian has improved a lot since I first got here. I looked up during my talk I was mostly reading what I have written down, but anyways I looked up and saw a Grandma in the branch just cheering me on. I was trying not to bust up laughing. It was funny and I am glad that I was able to get that experience out of the way. Haha

Meat Market

The meat market……….. and yes that is a pig head!!!!

New Year's Eve

New Years was kind of boring here. It felt like Elder Western and I were inside forever (they had to be in by 4 pm on New Year’s Eve and they had to stay inside their apartment all day on New Years). It ended up being alright and I made a giant pizza the size of our oven. Elder Western had the idea of using cardboard as the pan so I cut the “cow package” up and used that. It seemed to work and we didn’t burn down the apartment so I would say that it was a success. It was crazy here on New Year’s. Once it hit midnight I think I could hear fireworks for about an hour straight. Here all of the fireworks just echo off all of the buildings. I could see people lighting fireworks outside my window. I can’t believe that it is already 2011. Wow it is crazy.

Random Pictures

This is the internet club that I use to send my emails each week.




Here is a picture of the Grand Opening of a new grocery store that is across from my apartment.
This wheelchair is made out of a lawn chair.
Me an one of the THOUSANDS of cats in Odessa!!!


I took this picture on the bus.
This is the train station in Odessa.
Harry Potter's Ukrainian opening!

Christmas Day In Odessa

Christmas was awesome it was so good to hear all of your voices. I can’t believe that I have already been gone for six months. Wow where is all the time going!!! The best gift that I got this year hands down was being able to talk to you on the phone. Our family is the greatest thing that I have and is the greatest gift that I have. Isn’t it wonderful that Heavenly Father has giving us the Gift of Eternal life and the opportunity to live with our families forever. I really don’t know of anything that is better than that.....well it’s because there isn’t anything better than that.

The first thing Elder Western and I did Christmas morning was jump out of bed and open our gifts from home. After that I made pancakes and homemade maple syrup. Next I took a quick shower since the hot water is LIMITED it was very short!! Later in the morning we headed over to the church for the baptism of a little girl in the branch.



Later that afternoon was our branch Christmas party. In Ukraine Christmas is celebrated on January 7, but the branch party just happened to fall on our American Christmas day. The branch members acted out the nativity, Sergi was Joseph and his wife was Mary. After the nativity the branch had a dinner. After the dinner I went back to my apartment and my family was able to call me!!


The day after Christmas I made Christmas dinner for myself and Elder Western. My mom had sent a package with all of the trimmings, pumpkin cheese cake mix, potatoes, yams, stuffing and cranberry sauce.

Our Christmas tree is funny looking but I will always remember that tree and my first Christmas in Ukraine.