Additional journal entires

"Dear President and sister McQueen,
I want to thank you for all the help you have given me on my mission. I have learned a lot and am looking forward to learning more. I'm grateful that you were my president for the last part of my mission. You have left a very good impression on me, and I hope I have left a good impression on you. Thanks again."

"Pres and Sister McQueen,
Thanks for all you've done, for all the grief and stress you go through for us. We really do appreciate it. I hope you have as great a time as I have. Keep it up. I love Ukraine. Thanks."

"Dear President and sister McQueen,
Thank you for helping me build my testimony. My mission has changed my life. I can never be the same. This is the greatest work in the world. I love you."

"Dear President and sister McQueen,
Thank you so much for all of your prayers and love. For everything that you have done for me. I am grateful for everything I have learned and everything you have taught me. You are awesome examples. I love you both."

"Dear President and Sister McQueen,
Thank-you for your wonderful examples and uplifting talks. I really appreciate your righteous leadership. I hope the rest of your mission continues successfully. I know you will bless many lives."

"Dear President and Sister McQueen,
I am so excited to be here. The Ukrainian food was 1,000 times better than the MTC. It is wonderful to finally be in the field. I look forward to these next 22 months here with you in Ukraine. "

"Dear President and Sister McQueen,
I am really looking forward to serving in Ukraine. I am a little nervous about the unknown but I know that the Lord will help if I do my part. I can hardly wait to get started."

"Presidents McQueen,
Oh my heavens! That meal you just served to us was incredible. I'm going to be thinking about how good it was for the next 2 years. Thanks for everything so far and everything to come."

"President and Sister McQueen,
Thank you so much for your hospitality and for giving us a really good impression about Ukraine. I am so looking forward to this. It is going to be an interesting transition but I love it. The food you cooked was so good. I'm in for an adventure. I know I was called here for a reason. I am so thankful for this opportunity. This is great. I'm actually here."

"President and Sister McQueen ,
thank you for the wonderful meal. It is the best I've eaten in a couple of months. So far my impressions of Ukraine are good. I'm looking forward to the work. Hopefully with hard work and the Lords help I will know how to speak Russian. Thank you for all your help so far and in the future. Love."

"Pres and Sister McQueen,
Thank you for the great welcome into the mission. I am kind of nervous but excited to serve. I want to work hard. Thank you for being hospitable."

"Pres and Sister McQueen,
Wow! I am grateful to be here. Thank you for helping us with the transition. I am excited to serve the Lord and the people of Ukraine."

"Pres and Sister McQueen,
I am grateful to be here. I don't know the language very well, but I know how to work and how to be obedient. It will come if I put all my heart to the mission and the Lord. Thank you for your love and taking us in like family."

"President and sister McQueen,
Thanks for all the things you have done for me, and for the mission."

"Hey what can I say. Thanks for the amazing opportunity to serve up in Poltava as Branch President. I feel like I've made my mission and grown the most in testimony in the last 6 months of my mission. An experience that I will never forget."

"Dear President and Sister McQueen,
Thanks for all the memories. I'll never forget them. I love this work."

"Thank you very much for looking after me and teaching me. I'll never forget the things I've learnt here. Thank you very much."

"Well not much to say. It has always been hard to write my feelings. Thanks for your love for missionary work. You can really feel your love for missionaries. Keep up the great work."

"This is one of those moments where you grow 10 years in a minute. I want to say I love these people and I love this work. work hard and be happy!"

President and Sister McQueen,
Thank you both for all you've taught me! Thanks for everything you've done in the mission to help us all grow and become better missionaries! Thank you for your love and support always! I love this work so much and I love these awesome people! Good luck with the rest of your mission. You are both among my greatest heroes."

"If I could even start to thank you, I wouldn't be able to find the words. Not because I'm forgetting my English, but because you've done more for me than I can even comprehend. I've gained more in the past two years and 10 days than I have or ever will. I more than love this place and these people. Feels to me that I just got here. This is the work of the Lord and it doesn't stop after you go home. This is (was) the biggest honor."

More Journal entries from missionaries.

"President and Sister McQueen. I would like to write a few simple words: Thank you, I love you, you will be in my prayers, you will be blessed for our work, I will miss you, and never forget you, and the experiences you gave me. May God bless you always. You've made dreams come true."

"Well, time has surely flown by. It's a shame that we only got to know each other for a short time. Well, I am so grateful for all the help and support and advise you have given me. It has helped me on my mission and will help me for the rest of my life. I hope your mission is everything you want it to be. I love you both and will always remember you. The work will continue."

"Things here have finally come to an end for me. I will never forget what has happened for me here. I'm very grateful to you for the love you have for us. Thanks for all that you've done. I love these people! I don't know what will happen with them later in life but I will just pray and do all I can to help them from America. Take care of them."

"Dear President and Sister McQueen,
I have arrived, finally. What a wonderful adventure it has been. What an awesome couple of days. The train ride was very long, but all I did was sleep. The plane ride was long, but very interesting. The country is poor and very different. I am excited to finally be able to work. I just can't wait to share such a great and rich message. You both are awesome, thank you. The journey had begun."

"Dear President and Sister McQueen,
I'll have to admit that Ukraine is a lot different than I expected. It's nothing like America, from what I can tell. I think it's going to be fun to get out and learn about this culture. My mom was worried that I would starve here, but after I had the meal here today I don't think she needs to worry. I'm excited to get to work and share the message I've been learning about for the past 19 years. Thanks for giving us such a great loving welcome!"

"I'm so excited to be here in Ukraine! I can't wait to get out and bring the gospel to the people. I know it's going to change their lives like it has changed mine. I also can't wait to learn the language and about the culture. And I know that I'll learn a lot about the gospel and everything else while I'm here for two years. Thanks so much for all you've done for us."

"Dear President and Sister McQueen,
I want to say at this time how grateful I am to be here and to serve while I'm out here on my mission. I want to work as hard as I can and do all I can to serve the people of Ukraine and bring happiness into their lives."

"Dear President and Sister McQueen,
Thank you so much for everything. You've helped me so much. I know your call is from God. I know this is the work of the Lord. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know Jesus is the Christ. I know that only through Him may we be happy. Thank you. I love you."

"Dear President and sister McQueen,
I really appreciate all you do. You two really are a good example for me. I know that God called you here for may different reasons. I know that your service is needed. This mission has changed so much since you've come. I've really learned to love all aspects of this work. I feel more prepared for live because of the things you've taught us. This mission really is an MTC for life. Your emphasis on the missionary and his/her calling and happiness personally did much for me. God bless you, thanks for everything."

"Thank you so much for everything. I've learned so much here on my mission. You both have really helped me out."

"Well, I guess this is it. It is over. It has been a blast and I loved it. The church is true and the work will go forward. I've learned a lot, but the gospel is still true no matter what. The spirit has been strong and I've grown - wow. What an experience. Can't be put into words. The church is true."

"It was inspiring to watch both of you - your examples of faith, of acceptance and love. It was certainly a standard to measure up to. Most of all, I loved seeing your strong relationship with each other. I think I agree with the words of the called to serve video - when you are out working with all your heart, there is never a happier time in your life. If you give only 75%, you are never going to have the Spirit's support. But when you give your whole soul, your strength seems to never end. I will always be thankful to theLord for the many lessons and miracles of my mission."

"Dear president ans Sister McQueen,
Well it is over. I love you both and I am grateful for the friendship which we have developed. I love my mission. I hope in 20 or 30 years you will be able to see that I love my mission. Maybe in three years you will have to come mountain biking down in ..."

"Was up my parents of the mission? I love you both so much, thanks for everything you have taught and given me here in the mission. I'm so blessed that I could come and serve here in Ukraine. I know the church is true with all my heart. I love the B.O.M. I love how Maxwell put it, "The Book of Mormon is drenched in Christ." Don't forget that kid in O- town who will never forget you both. Thanks for the loves and believing! The work is so true and we are so blessed, keep in touch! You know the loves are here. I'll check you in a few! Picture me roll'in. Thank you! Laters!"

McQueen's,
There is no way that I could describe my feelings to you in this book. You have both taught me so much and I am so thankful to you. I loved serving here with you and helping you as best I could. I love my mission with all my heart. I don't feel like I'm going home. I'm so empty. It will feel weird to live outside of the mission. We'll be praying for you and the mission. I love you.

More Journal entries:

1. "What can I say in parting - except that it is all about the people and God's love for them. I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to testify of the Savior and the restored gospel. The time on a mission I have had is very precious to me and I am grateful to you for your examples and desires to serve. Good luck and all the best in everything your do!"

2. "This is such a beautiful home! It seems like I've never left America a few days ago. Sister McQueen is a great cook and this apartment is so nice and warm. It's great to be here and feel of the McQueen's spirit. Thank you!"

3. "This is such an awesome place! I am so excited to work as hard as I can all the time for the Lord. This church is true. I love it and want to share it with everyone!"

4. "This is all still kind of weird for me. I can't wait to get started, but I still don't know what to expect. This has been a great experience so far, and I'm sure it'll get better. Can't wait!"

5. "I am just way excited to be here. I want to work hard and be the best missionary in this mission! I love the Ukraine and hope to help a lot of people!"

6. "Thank you so much for your hospitality. I have felt your kindness so much since I have been here. I want to do the best I can. I know that I am in the right place here. I can't wait to get to work. Thanks again."

7. "Thank you for your love and support. This will be a new experience for me of course. But it is one that I need. Thank you for serving us all Thanksgiving. Many in the district truly needed it. I am ready for this experience. Here I go! Thank you so much. It is good to know that you are here for your love and support."

8. "I just want to thank you for your love. All is well."

9. Some comments from some of the missionaries who were kicked out of Kharkov in Dec 1999.

"I was here."

"Having been cast from my area in Kharkov I slept my first and probably last night in the posch second spare room at presidents. Been a pleasure."

"I feel like a poor refugee."

"It's so nice to be here again! Good food, sleep and shower."

"I've got a cold and I've been deported. The work is still true. Enjoy!"

"Its been a pleasure to be a guest in the palace."

10. "The mission was great! I will never forget it. Only love works!"

11. "I am so happy to have served inUkraine! Keep working!"

12. "I've only been here a few hours but I already love Ukraine!"

13. "Wow, I wonder if I can do this? I'm not going home, and I've been here...well a long time. Elder _____ and Elder _____ love being in the office! I'm just tech support. Well for all you who read this know that I sat here and pondered deep thoughts. 'Hmm that was good food. I wonder what it means when the salads get mixed and you throw a brownie on top?' I guess we'll find out tonight after its had time to sit. Any other deep thoughts are also free of charge, just ask Elder _____ or write new office Elder!"

14. "2 years? I'm going home. I should probably write something profound and wise, maybe all the wisdom I've accumulated in two years of missionary work. All I can say is that its been real. I have seen the gospel change lives and felt the gospel change me. I am and will be eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father for the opportunity that I had to be a missionary in Ukraine. I love the missionaries, the members and the investigators. If you are interested, ask the president about my boils. Work hard. Be good. Live the gospel. Let the Lord change you. Smile."

15. "Its incredible to think that this time has already come. Its been a great two years, I'll remember them for the rest of my life. Its really neat to think how our Heavenly Father prepares the way for us. I know lots of lives have been touched, because the Lord has prepared the way so we met one another. This church is true. I know it. It's crazy to think of the growth in the understanding of the gospel, which has come to one through this work. I'm forever grateful to my Heavenly Father for this opportunity. Thank you President and Sister McQueen for your love, examples and everything. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to help you and be around you at the end of my mission and the beginning of yours. Thank you very much."

16. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for the opportunities you gave me. This mission is a gift from God. I will always be thankful for it. President, don't worry about me. I am in the church to stay and I will serve Him to the very end of all. This church is Christ's."

17. "May God bless you in your efforts to lead the church onward here. I dearly love this place and I know the day will come when wards and stakes shall dot the land. You've taught me and loved me and I want you to know I will be eternally grateful and I will be willing to help you in anyway you will ever need. The work here will go onward blossoming faster and faster as the missionaries get the spirit. I wish you the best in all you do."

We found an old journal that had some writings of missionaries coming and going from the mission and thoughts from other events. We thought it would be interesting to post them minus the name of the writer.

1. "Mexican Fiesta for the Donetsk Department of Religion.

It was a silly, sunny, chilly (sunny + chilly = silly) day and the refried beans were frying ... again. What kind are they anyway? Well, they cost 7 griven. And the fried rice was a bit sticky, but that's okay. Just for the record though you should know that last night at a small apartment in a very small kitchen on the outskirts of the city two Ukrainians and two Americans spent a good two to three hours chopping like mad. We are the foremost high volume salsa producers to be found. And then we need to give Sister Thatcher and Sister Nelson a big round of applause for making the tortillas. In general, this is an admirable food effort since yesterday a whole lot of Zone Leaders from all over the mission ate a bunch of something else that Sister McQueen also labored diligently to prepare. I might here add a quote from Sister Thatcher: 'After watching Sister McQueen for the last couple of days I've decided that I would rather serve on five missions that be a mission president's wife.' So now we are all waiting for these important folks to show up so we can impress them. "

2."Well, I'm not quite sure what to write so I will simply write my testimony. I know that God lives and that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. I know the Book of Mormon is true. Joseph Smith is a prophet. I am and will always be grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to serve in the Ukraine Donetsk Mission. Thank you President and Sister McQueen for your kindness and service. I know that your calling is inspired. I love the gospel and I love Ukraine."

3. "I just wanted to write that I loved my mission! Thanks for helping in making my mission a success for me!"

4. "Just like the rest I don't know what to write. I do know that this work is true. I know that the Lord loves everyone of us. Thanks for all you do for the missionaries. I love my mission! Thanks for being a part of it. I got nothing but love from all of you!"

5. "Today I ate really well and was warm!"

6. "Thanks for the marvelous food and comfort."

7. "Breakfast of Champions

This was to celebrate the end of a successful mission tour. One of the best weeks I have ever lived through. Sister McQueen once again bringing the magic that she creates in the kitchen. We love you more than you could ever know and are thankful for all you two do for all of us."

8. "I dont' know what to write but I'd like to say that I felt your intensity when you just got here. Keep that going, it's great. I had a great time serving here as a missionary. I hope you enjoy your service here as mission president and mission president's wife."

9. "I never thought the end would come so quickly! My mission has changed my life. I am very grateful for all that it has brought into my life. It was an amazing experience! I'd also like to thank you for being good role models for me. Keep it up."

10. "I love being a missionary! I loved serving here in Ukraine and with each and every elder I served with. Thank you so much for all the help you have given me. It's amazing how time works. I'm beginning to believe it doesn't even exist. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I know the atonement changes lives. I love you both so very much."

11. "There just are no words to describe what a mission does for you, or should I say what a mission is. I'm so thankful that I made the decision to come on a mission. I love Ukraine! I never thought that time would go so fast. I know that this is the work of the Lord. There's nothing like serving a mission, at least nothing I've done up to this point. Thanks for everything."

12. "This country is on fire and I will be eternally grateful that the Lord has called me to this work and has opened my eyes with His spirit. His plan is perfect and I know all these callings and experiences that have come are commandments to grow, learn, teach and be humble. Besides if this work wasn't true we wold have destroyed it long ago. Your leadership is guided by our Savior Jesus Christ. Keep it going and bring eternal blessings to our brethren the Ukrainians. 'Through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can learn from our mistakes without being condemned by them - Marvin Ashton'"

Mariupol Members at Welfare Square

Sister Vinokurova was taking Brother Nikoli Dogadailo (I hope this is spelled correctly) on a tour of Welfare Square and they stopped by my office. They are both from Mariupol. Brat Nikoli was a member while we were there and he remembers all the fun we had at the Mariupol chapel dedication. Sister Vinokurova was baptized after we left and is now serving at the Temple Square mission but the sisters also take people on tours of Welfare Square.

Welfare Square Sister Missionaries

More Mallory

Soccer Star - Mallory

We arrived in Donetsk Ukraine ten years ago today

I’m having a hard time putting into words what I want to say about arriving in Ukraine ten years ago. I remember talking to one mission president and his wife who voiced the opinion that their mission was simply “the best of times and the worst of times.” Looking back I would have to say the same thing. The emotional swings were wild. The highs were extreme and the lows were excruciating.
For instance, walking out of our front door we would see all kinds of high priced cars and their drivers. Walking out of our back door we would separate our garbage and give sacks of edible garbage to the men and women sitting around our garbage cans and put our throw away garbage in the can. The disparity between what was happening in the front of our apartment and the back of our apartment was like night versus day. Men cleaning and polishing their big black cars out front while people were rummaging through household waste in the back was a sight I will always remember. I’ll never forget the sight of a lady eating our out dated yogurt the minute I handed her our bag of edible garbage.
We loved watching obedient missionaries fulfill their callings as branch presidents, zone leaders, trainers, assistants to the president, and office elders. We shared the joy of their successes with them. We anguished with the few who chose a different and more difficult path.
We were heart broken when Elder Pixton passed away and uplifted by the strength and compassion shown by numerous elders who were wise beyond their years.
We loved watching new converts embrace the church and questioned why so many seemingly good members decided to search for some other religion.
It was humorous, often difficult, but mostly fun dealing with - toilets or lack thereof, smelly white shirts, worn out shoes, nylons, ugly ties, belated confessions, companionship issues, fights, off limit establishments (Three Fat Guys), the area presidency, missionaries who worried too much and those who didn’t worry at all and should have, back waxing, eating on the street or in members homes, branch problems, Banyas, elder and sister exchanges or district meetings each day with the sisters and elders (just having lunch together - early on), upper respiratory illness, diarrhea (Dr. Nelson talked at length one evening with us and the office elders concerning the consistency of fecal matter. It was one of the most interesting conversations we had and very enlightening), money, transfers, registration, the ministers of religion in each city, the minister of state security in Donetsk, police - especially in Kharkov and those who stopped me for various and sundry traffic offenses, Kiev Service Center, acquiring the Crimea, acquiring land for chapels, Russian language, hotel clerks (some really nice others not so pleasant), restaurants (the best in Kharkov, Dneper and Donetsk), homesickness, Christmas and Mother’s Day calls, vodka as our window washing fluid in our car, Slavanagorsk, Golovach, English Classes, McDonalds, zone conferences, district conferences, branch meetings, branch socials, YM/YW issues and outings, General Authorities, Apostles, Auxiliary Presidents, Ford Taraus, VW car, trains, airplanes, drive to Lygansk from Donetsk (3 hours one way), drive to Kharkov from Donetsk (5 hours one way), drive to Cymi from Donetsk (8 hours one way), drive to Poltava from Donetsk (six hours), drive to Dneper from Donetsk (four hours one way), drive to Zap from Donetsk (three hours one way), drive to Mariupol from Donetsk (two hours one way), drive to Kherson from Donetsk (7 hours one way), drive to Crimea from Donetsk (eight hours one way), drive from Crimea to Cymi (eight hours one way), driving with the assistants, driving with the office elders, driving in the snow, driving while extremely cold, bathroom stops at Izum, outdoor comfort stops on the way to Dneper, Crimea, Lygansk, Cymi (Sue was a trooper), Renok stops to hand out Books of Mormon, stops to see horses, trips to Yalta.
We were sustained and rejuvenated by testimony meetings at the end of each zone conference, loving missionaries, and wonderful members. “Holy days” as mentioned by President Yudin were when old missionaries left and new missionaries arrived. We loved that period of time in the month when we said goodbye to those who had served faithfully and said Hell-o to the new missionaries we would be serving with for a season - awesome testimony meetings with both groups.
We preferred missionaries to arrive by train not by airplane. The train ride from Kiev to Donetsk was an experience that everyone needed to have to get themselves in the proper frame of mind for the mission field and Ukraine. The train is so Ukrainian and the plane so American.
We loved feeding missionaries and members. We loved watching newly arrived missionaries eat the Ukrainian arrival meal, we loved watching zone leaders pile their plates high with goodies during our lunch break, we loved talking about the mission experience during our final meal together before getting you on the train out of country. We loved hosting members and feeding them at our home and at Kievsky Chapel.
We tried to make Holidays a little special but in all honesty they weren’t very important to me. Celebrate and get back to work was what was important. We did like some of our Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and zone conferences.
I really want to see – a dog with only three legs, a lop sided bus, a village well, a sunflower field, Slavanagorsk, Izum, a Renok, McDonalds in Cymi, a huge snow storm, heavy rain storm, fog/smog in Mariupol and Donetsk, Center Renok Donetsk, my office, Golovach, faithful members, Dneper river, the lake behind our apartment.
I miss – the spirit, zone conferences, making missionaries senior companions, the Ukrainian office staff, the member ladies who prepared our missionary dinners and cleaned our apartment and made Sue’s dresses (I still think she looks the best in these dresses), nice people in our hotels, our waiters in Kharkov (Norma’s) and Dneper (the Chinese place) and the Moscow hotel in Simferopol, cold air blowing through our open bedroom window during the cold winter nights, an air conditioner in every room during the summer time in our apartment, tomatoes, McFresh, juices, calling Sue Sister McQueen, being called “Prez”, badminton courts, BBC, mud, rain, snow, all kinds of weather, meeting trains, smell of coal, hearing the sacrament prayer in Russian, “Called to Serve “ on my cell phone, driving, heated car seats in the VW, dark- rich-rock free soil, the church rentals in Mariupol and Lygansk, the Chess building in Poltava, the Airport Building in Cymi, interviews in our hotels, interviews at the office, walking interviews, missionaries being honest with me about their problems, solving problems, ballets and opera (just kidding), the senior couples, the missionaries who impressed me the most, the missionaries who worked the hardest, the missionaries who did the best they could with what they had been given, the missionaries who didn’t want to be there but completed their missions anyway, the missionaries who told us they would never had survived their missions if we hadn’t have been the mission parents, depending on my wife (together we made a fairly good person)(Elder Callister mentioned that “you two are like a cello played with the same bow” because we supported each other so much), being obedient, being 100% duty bound to do what was right regardless of the consequences, sleeping in the same room and also the same bed with my companion while on our mission (the only mission rule we broke every night), Ukrainian District Presidents , Branch Presidents and other leaders, giving talks, telling stories, being a cheerleader, making people think and act, having Sue lead me around so I didn’t have to observe some of the more revealing fashions in Donetsk (She did tell me to look at one women whose chest looked like two cats were having a fight within her blouse as she moved down the street), wonderful members who tried their best to live their new religion,
Significant Visits:
Elder Eyring
Elder Oaks
Elder Holland
Sister Menlove
Sister Smoot – Sisters in Donetsk went all out to help her and made her feel so welcome. We had her an entire day so we went from chapel to chapel showing her Relief Society projects and she got to meet almost every sister in Donetsk and surrounding areas.
Area Presidency:
Elder Didier
Elder Paul
Elder Hancock
Elder Callister
Elder Hilbig
Elder Orton
Elder Authority Seventy:
Elder Schutze
Elder Manzhos

President Bountiful Temple

I'm sure everyone remembers Elder Douglas L. Callister who was the Euorpe East Area President while we were in Ukraine. He has been called to be the new President of the Bountiful Temple. His wife Sister Jeannette Callister will be the temple matron. We are excited because this is our temple and we will be able to see him often.

Visits End of May 2009

We spent Thursday night with Sister Tegeder and the Bostons. It is so much fun to get together and talk about the future. Sunday the Rolfes and Sister Grigoryan came to our house for a visit. It was nice to see them. We are so happy people are maintaining their friendships. I forgot to take pictures on Sunday. The Rolfes and Sister Grigoryan look great.

Ukraine Donetsk Mission Rap

Use your imagination and get the correct rap beat and then start:

Think I'll try,
This mission thing.
Think I'm ready,
Think I'm clean.
Tuesday night,
Did some confess'in.
To the bishop,
And President Session.
They were cool,
Now we're tight.
They told me,
I'm going to be alright.
Book of Mormon, D&C,
Bible study,
Now interests me.
Got'ta leave my friends,
Got'ta leave my girl,
I'm so homesick,
I might hurl.
The MTC's,
Tell'in me,
No Cell phone,
And no TV.
Heard we study,
Day and night,
Gassy food, no coke,
Just sprite.
Got a companion,
Twenty-four seven.
This can't be,
Wha'cha call heaven.
Hope I make it,
Times are tough.
Lots of my friends,
Think I'm nuts.
Best two years,
Is all I hear.
I love Jesus,
And hope He's near.


I would like this to be a work in progress for all of us. I've got a some what interesting start now let's see how creative you can be. Email me your thought and Iwill add them - davidmmcqueen@comcast.net. If you send me anything inappropriate I will haunt you.

Church News

Elder Dupre or should I say 2LT Dupre or should I say "sir" with Elder Nelson. Elder Nelson was at Walter Reed hospital in Washington and I guess Elder Dupre was on duty there. I would really love to hear the story behind the picture.

Elder Lopez

We had an interesting email from one of the "old guys" from the mission Elder Lopez. Elder Lopez was in Kharkov when we arrived in the mission. He was one of the first missionaries I ever went tracking with while in Ukraine. As I remember it, we entered the stairwell of a four or five story apartment building and Elder Lopez explained to me that he always started at the top of the stairway and worked his way down. He asked if this would be a problem for me. I replied that it would not. He then started running up the stairs and did not stop until we reached the top of the stairs. I was still in fairly good shape and I stayed up with him and was trying to catch my breath when he asked me to say the prayer before we knocked on the first door and between deep breaths I said the prayer. He walked with a purpose, had a daily schedule that was programed down to the minute, and had a no nonsense approach to missionary work. He was less than thrilled when I called him to be my secretary in the office. He did not want to leave the "field". In the office, we worked through the crisis of missionaries getting kicked out to Kharkov, the Ministry of State Security guy telling us we had to get a law firm to take over our registration of missionaries in each city, and our first mission tour. I really felt I let him down because I had told him and his companion that they could sleep in one morning after they had been up late with us getting new missionaries on the late train to Kharkov. The missionaries were asked during the mission tour if they had gotten up at 0630 in the morning during the past week and he had to reply with a no. He looked at me as if he had let me down and I could only whisper to him from the stand to not worry about it. The fun thing about working with the office elders was Sue and I got to know them very well. They usually helped us eat the leftovers from the missionary arrival and leaving meals and every once in a while we had them for breakfast when we were in town. He also helped us with numerous Christmas functions in 1999. Elder Lopez quickly came to the understanding that he was privy to lots of confidential information, that he was given a great deal of latitude in making decisions, and that when we were away he as the defacto leader of the mission. I had full faith and trust in his abilities as I did with all of my secretaries. Along with his leadership abilities, was a deep sense of humility for being able to serve in Ukraine. He expressed his love for the mission, the church, the prophet, the scriptures and most importantly the Book of Mormon during every zone conference testimony meeting. Those of us who were privileged to hear his final testimony before getting on the train to come home will never forget the tender way he touched his worn Book of Mormon and testified about what a wonderful missionary tool it was and how much he loved it. I think we all started crying at about three o'clock that afternoon and didn't stop until the train had pulled out of the station in Donetsk. His most current email touched on the same firm testimony about the church, the prophet and his local leaders. It was our honor to serve a season with him.

That's It

That is about all of the writings I have concerning the mission. If some one has a favorite subject that they would like me to write about I would consider it.

Arriving

We arrived in Kiev on the 29th of June 1999. Going through customs was an experience. The customs officials were not the most pleasant people to deal with but we made it and finally made contact with the people from the Kiev Service Center, who got us to the train station for the over night trip to Donetsk. It was so hot and humid that day, that we were perspiring profusely when we finally got all our bags on the train. We sat down and started to wonder how we were going to smell in the morning when we met the missionaries and President and Sister Manzhos. Being military people we are always prepared and with the help of some baby wipes and deodorant, we decided we smelled just fine. Once the train started moving the compartment cooled off and we had a pleasant trip watching the country side pass by. We discussed at length what was going to happen to us in the morning. We wondered what the next three years would bring. Thinking about this was both wonderful and scary. We prayed that we would be able to do all that was asked of us. We went to sleep with the clickety clack of the train tracks and the faint smell of the bathroom. Our train was supposed to be in Donetsk at 0930 but it didn’t arrive until 1230. The office Elders, the assistants, and President and Sister Manzhos were there waiting for us. We got into the van and quickly drove to our new apartment. When I say quickly, I really mean fast. I couldn’t believe how fast and furious the driving habits were in the Ukraine. We tailgated, sped around, and held on as we watched the semi-controlled chaos of Ukrainian driving. We were taken to our brand new apartment. The apartment was nice and we had two bathrooms and three bedrooms and a great living room and a nice office and a great kitchen-all the comforts of home. The place even had a room heater/air-conditioner in each room. We had a Ukrainian lunch and then unpacked a little. We both love cabbage and potatoes and almost any fruit or vegetable along with all meats. The meal was great. We talked with the Manzhos’ about the apartment, the garage, the old mission home, and other housekeeping issues. We didn’t talk much about the mission or the missionaries. We went to the office and prepared to take the Manzhos’ to the train station for the ride back to Kiev. We met a lot of missionaries and members that night at the station. They wanted to say good bye to the Manzhos family. Once they boarded the train and left, we went back to the apartment, finished unpacking, and tried to calm our nerves. We were now on our own. We were responsible for about 130 missionaries in a country where we couldn’t communicate. Exactly the type of experience we had been praying for. At about 10:00 we received a call that some missionaries had been in a fight with some local boys. Nothing really serious but enough to give us a reality check. It seems to me that those first few months missionaries were getting in fights on a weekly basis. Either the beatings slowed down or we got used to the situation because after a while it just didn’t bother us as much as it did that first night. We had written the assistants and asked them to schedule a mission tour as quickly as possible. We wanted first and foremost to meet all the missionaries and as many members as possible. When we arrived home from the tour, we were convinced that we had the best missionaries in the world. Because of the missionaries, we knew the next three years were going to have great spiritual experiences.

Bird and Bug

We were getting ready for our District conference in Donetsk. This time the conference was going to be held in a room that looked much like an old chemistry lab. You know, the tiered seating and high ceiling. We arrived early because I liked to get used to the environment and make sure things were going well. It’s not that I get nervous about details – yes it is, I get nervous about details. We entered the hall and things looked just fine. After a few minutes I realized that there was a bird flying around in the hall. I knew the bird would be a distraction but I couldn’t figure out what to do. The ceilings were really high and the bird was flying near the top. I decided to pray that the Lord would take care of the bird, quickly adding that the bird need not die. I then got involved in a discussion and forgot about the bird until I saw it being carried out of the hall. After the conference I asked what had happened and someone mentioned the bird landed on a window seal and a member had caught it in his hands and taken it out and released it. It flew away. This moment really hit me because I could see an almost immediate cause and effect relationship between asking for and receiving answer to a prayer. I tried all types of ways to rationalize what had happened and could only come to one conclusion. My prayer had been answered. Shortly after this incident took place we were up in Kharkov to a zone conference. We held the conference in the National Hotel. We rented a conference room on the ground floor of the hotel. The room had some black leather chairs which were very comfortable and some regular chairs which left lots to be desired. We had the windows open because it was very hot and humid. I had just related the bird incident to the missionaries and we were getting ready to start the testimony meeting when a huge bug flew into the room. I could tell by the expression on the faces of the missionaries that a challenge was being made: Ok, McQueen, you said you could, with the Lord’s help, pray away a bird. Now, let’s see what can be done with this bug! I was extremely nervous because I did not want my actions to cause some missionary to lose his or her testimony. I started to pray that the Lord would take care of the bug, and I remember thinking these specific terms – Lord please park this bug some place where it will not interfere with our testimony meeting. I watched it fly North along the East wall and turn West onto the North wall. It was coming close to me and I almost reached out to squash it, but held back. The bug changed direction and flew back towards the East wall and then it went South along the East wall towards a vent and “parked” near the vent for the entire testimony meeting. It did not move during the meeting. Again, a very specific prayer was answered in a very specific way.

Blessing

It was one of the blessings in our mission to have so many leaders from the church visit Donetsk – Elder Eyring, Elder Oaks, Elder Holland, Sister Menlov, and Sister Smoot. We enjoyed meeting with all of them. The only thing I disliked about them coming to the mission was that all missionaries could not see them. I tried my hardest to make it happen but was finally asked to cease and desist with my wanting all missionaries to see the authorities. Elder Eyring came to our apartment and after lunch he asked me to find some one “who would be blessed by blessing an apostle”. He went on to tell us he was a little under the weather and had numerous things he had to do and he just felt he needed a blessing. I told him Elder Nelson, the mission doctor, would be happy to bless him. He replied that he wanted a Ukrainian member to perform the blessing. He went on to say to me - “just pray for inspiration and if you don’t get any it will be all right.” Talk about a little ecclesiastical pressure. It was hours before our meeting with the priesthood members but I started praying for the necessary guidance. We went to the concert hall in Donetsk for our meeting and as I sat on the stand I looked out into the audience and started going row by row looking at all the men I knew. I kept looking until I noticed the Branch President from Lygansk sitting in the congregation. President Letvidov was the man. I could feel it and taste it. The minute I saw him I knew he was the person to bless Elder Eyring. I turned to Elder Schutze and told him I knew the person who should bless Elder Eyring. I asked Elder Schutze if I could ask President Letvidov at the intermission. He said it would be OK. I took one of the assistants down into the audience to ask President Letvidov and he said he would be honored to bless Elder Eyring. After the meeting, we went to my office were an assistant and President Letvidov blessed Elder Eyring. President Letvidov thought this experience was so special and sacred that he never talked about it. I’m not sure he has even told his wife about it. He is such a good man. All of us who were involved with this incident were very blessed and had our testimonies strengthened.

Christmas in Crimea

We were in Simferopol during the Christmas of 2001. We were planning on doing a regular zone conference with the missionaries in the area. When we woke up on the morning of the 25th, Sister McQueen and I started a discussion about what we should do during the zone conference. Both of us wanted to do something different, we didn’t want to make this just another day in the life of a missionary. We didn’t want a regular zone conference with just training and talks and testimonies. So we decided to just sit down at the table in our room in the Moscow Hotel and search the scriptures about the birth of the savior. There was a neat view out of our hotel window. The ridge line just out of the window had snow on it. It was cold outside but we were warm and comfortable in the hotel room. We had nothing to worry about and no time constraints. We all sat down and started with Luke Chapter two and moved on to the Book of Mormon and all the passages surrounding the birth of the savior. If I remember right, we had a question and answer period. If we couldn’t answer the question quickly we spent time looking it up and eventually finding an answer that satisfied all of us. It was a very quick four hours of Bible study. It was also one of the most spiritual experiences of our mission. The feeling in that room was intense. The spirit was undoubtedly there. I don’t remember much about our discussion but I can remember the feeling of love, peace, and joy that was in the room. I think the main reason for this feeling was the single focus we all had to make ourselves into better missionaries and people. Some missionaries only had a short time left on their missions and they wanted to finish strong. The younger missionaries could see what they could accomplish on their missions and were glad they didn’t have to worry about going home. Sister McQueen and I were filled with huge emotions – six months left and how were we going to close out our mission. We knew this was our last Christmas in the Ukraine - our final Christmas celebration with missionaries. It was a tough time for us. I don’t think any missionary who was at that zone conference will ever forget the room, the conversation, the meal or the spirit. What a choice moment, our Christmas in the Crimea.