Zone Conference - an awesome week!!

Hello one and all,

Another great week in Brasov. Really cooled down all week and then today it's Spring time?! What the?! Really warm. But a nice brisk/cool wind. I love it outside. Beautiful.

So this week....real quick for Marissa. Major events: No hike up to the Hollywood/ "BRASOV" sign. :( (Next week I'll include a pic of that) Nice walk passing frisbee on last P-day. Shopping. Cleaning. Travel out to a small town to Budila. Whew. Glad I am still alive, hehe, just kidding MOM. Fine. Coach 1st class travel out to these towns, don't worry. :D English class - awesome! Wednesday: Snowed a little bit. Hand about to freeze! Lessons not really a lot worked out. Thurs: Out to city Codlea, further into the depths of Transilvania. (BTW, Brasov is in Transilvania, don't think I ever said that.) At Codlea, picked up Nativity sets 100 bucks! 300 ron. 5 sets for mission president and a couple other missionaries. Got a sweet magnet of the Nativity. They call in the Birth of the Lord I think (Nasterea Domnului) Then we got our train to BUCURESTI. Late. Left at about 645. got in at 1020 or so. Stayed in Hotel Ibis right by the gara/train station. Then Zone Conference next morning. Awesome to see brethren in the Lord. Alma 17:2-3!!!! Elder Mikolyski - MTC Companion (not in one of the 3 zones for the conference but helping out, he had a baptism after his ZC the next day, last SATURDAY!) . Elder James. Elder Nemrow (in zone) and Elder Nilsson. 2 baptisms this past week. Few set up for this week. Work is going well in Romania and Moldova. Could go better ALWAYS especially in Brasov. After ZC went to gara. Read all letters I got. THANK YOU THANK YOU. Got back, Sibiu Elders stayed over with us then left the next morning. English Saturday for a Spiritual thought I played Our Savior's Love while Elder Betteridge sang. Went well. I messed up a couple times, but I know they all felt the Spirit. Next day, Church went well. Said opening prayer. Messed up a little bit. But that's what learning IS! "If I never messed up I would never be where I am today and where I will be tomorrow." Copyright Elder Schroe. :P

All is well in Israel. Wish people would get more interested!!!!!! Lots of people setting up lessons and not coming. Losing interest. Not showing up. Keeping commitments. Constant contact and INVITE. That's all we can do and also testify! Let your light so shine!

So random things I wanted to include in last week's e-mail...but didn't and other random things I wrote down to talk about. (Marissa: Sis. Paravatto that Elder Schafer in SIBIU knows who is serving in TEMPLE SQUARE. :))

Ton of cars in Buc. Not so much in Brasov but still A TON! European brands. and a ton of BMW and VWs. Really nice ones, american sized, and then the tiny sized one. I love all the cars and everybody parks on the sidewalk. I didn't know they did that, but whatever. hehe. Funny. No parking really. Just sidewalks. Kidding kidding.

For my blog I wanted to say some thing but i forget now. eh....don't worry about if it's a hassle. People even read it....oh now I remember haha, funny how that works. say you forget, then you remember. CHECK out Sora LUNDBERG's blog about Romania and her experiences. NO idea about what website it is...

I love the Romanian people. So great, every single one of them. And it's great, only concerned and only really know about life in their little town (Budila, Sacele, or Codlea) I love them more and more each day and like Moroni says, I ask for Charity everyday.

The city of Brasov is great. Our bloc/apartment we stay in is kinda old but the city is always bustling. Traffic all night it seems like. Always people going here and there and I like it. I love taking the buses around. Haven't had a WAY crowded one yet, i guess it can always get more crowded but we've been close and I guess the door could barely close. That count as crowded?

Gypsies. It's sad. Just read this morning in Jesus the Christ. Jews and the Samaritans. Romanians and Gypsies. Just classifying. Given of course, most are beggars and want money, there are those awesome ones you meet and are great people. They are people too. I love them and sometimes will give the kids and parents food. Not a whole lot in Brasov really. Out in Budila there are though. Outer cities is where you find them in this area of the country. Buc has the most.

City is fairly clean, lots of trash and cigarettes on the ground.

McDonalds and KFC are REALLY nice restaurants and pretty expensive here!

Ambulences...oh my gosh. At least one or two a day. Last week, counted probably 5 in a day. Just something funny I noticed. When I hear it I just say to Elder Betteridge, "Everyday." and smile. Just wanted you to know that. Thank you. :)

Elevators in the blocs are super sketchy. Quite dodgy! If i were Elder ....i forget his name, Elder Betteridge served with him. Sora Fraser, or in my District Sora Walker. It's life though and they all work - the ones I have been in. Bloc right my the church you could fit 4 people in it barely and those were really nice, in our apartment, just two people.

And one last thing, everybody and their dog and cat smoke and everyone drinks. :( Cuvantul de intelepciune. Word of Wisdom!!!!

MY WEEK!!!!!!

basically raining/drizzling/snowing all week. not a real snow but wet and damp...then today it was really nice.

(time constraints, gotta finish up here pretty fairly quick, just a quick run down, if you are curious, and a couple good stories here and there...)

Last Monday went well. Finished e-mail, then ate at KFC I think. Had the blazin' boxmaster, pretty good. Not worth the price though. Oh well. Money is money. Then went on our hike. Wanted to go to tampa but tram wasn't running. Just couple months ago, Sora Puckett went, I think because winter time, no idea. Little sad, just walked down a path, throwing and losing the frisbee down the hill, just walking. Taking pictures. then went to Kaufland to go shopping. did all that. Back to the apartment. Unpacked and cleaned up. vacuumed and what not. Then off to the church for two lessons. Both of which did not work out. :( Codrut and Elvis (American) so we knocked a bloc by the church (with nicer elevators) went home and made area book calls.

Tuesday. Studies. Area calls and calls with possible lessons. Then out to Budila! YAY. Favorite story of the week.*** so basically, we go to the store PROFI, and lots of guys just standing around outside the store, cars in parking lot. I'll take a pic. But we go up to guy and ask if anyone is going out to Budila like 10 km away or so. We wait, he's in the store, we get in his car. And it's the oldest car ever! stick shift. Thought it was going to fall apart and my seat was super sketch. Anyways, we are going slowly....then on the main road he sees a cop, so he turns around and goes this super long way! to avoid the cop. Because the cop could pull him over and give him a ticket for basically being a taxi without have a taxi car. I don't know why. It's uh illegal I guess. ;) but we made it to Budila. finally maybe 15 minute car ride. Had funny/good lesson with Moise and neighbor Cladiu. want to build a church out there. Used to go to Baptist church only because they would pick them all up. Cladiu is pretty sincere. Good potential with him. Then lesson done. They gave us some mineral water, not my favorite at all, but not a problem to drink. doesn't quench my thirst for sure! Coming back to brasov, met cool taxi man, Gigi, couldnt meet this week, hopefully next, and he goes out to Budila a lot and could take us! English class, taught that, then Spiritul thought, article of faith 6. then had lesson with Eta and brought Marius. Lesson went well. Struggling to accept BOM but she just needs to read it!

Wednesday. Lesson with Adriana met in blocs and Mihai - mici man, and Ivan, recent convert bmw worker.

Thursday: calls, park contacting, went out to Codlea, met really awesome lady Virginia going out there, picked up nativity things, then went to gara and went to Bucharest.

Friday: awesome zone conference, and breakfast and lunch, gave my testimony along with new Elders and Leaving Elders and Sora. Great Spirit and so much we need to do better, emphasis on Planning, Goal setting, and Asking for referrels, Elder Starey from Norway gave an awesome talk as well as Sora Lundberg and President Lundberg.

Saturday: Good day, couple lessons. with Fratele Popescu, member, taught english, did special musical number, then lesson with opra maria and little girl roxanna. Good good day especially.

Sunday: church went well, gave opening prayer, lunch- cereal, crepes in the night time

Monday: SO WARM, love it. Been good Preparation day so far.

This week for my studies still in Book of Mormon, Cartea lui Mormon, and Jesus the Christ. Just reading those three things. Little of each and language study - going through all vocab I write down in a day. reading. pronunciation. writing. grammar. and reading a grammar book BOM 1 Nephi 9-12 I think. CLM 2 Nephi 1-5 and JTC up to chapter 13 now and I learn so much and love that book. So many great insights and things I never knew!

UGH! Sorry later end of the week is so sparse. All is well in Brasov I'll add more details next week. I love you all. Hope you are doing great. I miss you and I love this Gospel. I pray for success and to be led to those who need to hear this message. All is well. I love you.

Love,

Elder Schroedter

Already Preparation Day!?

Hello!

This week has flown by! Hope all is well back home in Katy/Houston, Pleasant Grove/Orem/Provo, Sunnyvale/Palo Alto/Stanford. I love you all!

BIG thing of the week....AH! I gave a talk yesterday!!! WHAT THE?! Week 2. The Branch Mission Leader and 1st I think or 2nd counselor in the Branch Presidency is really cool. His name is Marius. And his mission papers are in and should be getting his call anytime soon. I think he is about 20, just a little older than me. But he asked me to give it Thursday during our District Mtg/Correlation Mtg. It was a good experience. And I'll get to there soon. :) Also big things, stuck in Sibiu after Training Meeting for 2 hours. Pretty cold but not shivering. Eating Spanish and Chinese food while in Romania. Weather wise it really cooled down latter end of the week. But I like it, get to actually use my coat! and other jackets and pants. Shopping list, need ear muffs and sweats.

So this past week I'll just go through the days! I have a feeling the e-mails will be a lot of the same things but I'll try to include neat experiences, good lessons, contacts, and everything like that. Sound good? I thank you for all the e-mails Dad and Mom. And letters and support everyone gives me. It really helps.

Last Preparation Day, after e-mail went and ate in Centru (middle of town....uh or center) We went there. Me, Elder Betteridge and the Sisters, Sisters Puckett and Walker. Went and ate at a Spanish restaurant, Dos Amigos, think it was spanish, not sure. I got a 20 (little less than 7 dollars) taco soup, burrito, and apple cake/pie creation. It was pretty good and that is a pretty good deal. Right now, I think that dollar may be going up? Nu stiu ( I dont know) but it's like 1 dollar = 3 ron/lei (FYI) After lunch went shopping at Kaufland, like Costco/Wal Mart Europized. Right next to church. And there are a lot of stores or different sorts. "Carrefour" right there. Then went home, dropped off groceries. For checkout line we had to buy or bags to carry our groceries?! What?! Bought three and I tried a chocolate bar, "Lion" Bar. Pretty good, similar to a KitKat. Then after we dropped by Gabi, wasn't home. Knocked a couple blocuri/blocks. Then went over to the Trefan family, really nice, read with them from 3 Nephi 11. Need to set up another time with them. Get them baptized. Really nice couple. Hopefully they'll keep the interest going. Learn more. And pray! Reading and wanting to know is key! Then Prayer is what counts. After that we went home.

Tuesday: Pretty good day. 3 lessons. Woke up and went running. Went to Parcul Tractorul and did a little contacting, met really cool guy, smoking and drinking a cup of coffee or tea. Sincere and had experiences in Italy with Jehovah's Witnesses. Everybody asks us if we are them! And sometimes don't even give a chance to tell them who we are! But this man, name was Iulian, lives out in a little town just south east of Brasov. Sacele. Met up a time to teach him again. Then we went to referrels Christen and Bezgiu. Both not interested and we knocked a bloc or two around them. Then we went and had some lunch. Just some sandwiches. Salami, cheese, tomato! (yes I did have some) and mayonnaise too, with bread. Made some area book calls, Elder Betteridge did the calling. I took a nap. Then we went to the church. Stopped my Mihai's mici (meat) stand. Wasn't there. His Dad was working. Then we taught Marius Bogdon, real potential the 1st lesson, and then taught an english student Graier Adrian. Committed him to read and meet again. 1st lesson. Then we had English class. Taught future tense I think and about how to tell time. Good show, about 30 people. I don't really say much, but people we ask me how to say stuff in English and I'll tell them. After English, No Eujun or Buium lesson that we had planned. Said hi to Mihai who was working (right by church, Carrefour). But getting on the bus we met an English guy. The church is at the end/beginning of a bus line so the driver always takes a break. We were sitting on the bus. And this American I should say who speaks English came up to us, and wanted to know more about our church, he is studying here in Europe, from Louisiana. So we talked a little bit. Really cool guy. Kinda a lesson. Talked a lot about Free masons. and he knew a bunch about that. It was funny. And might eat Thanksgiving with him or something. After that went home for the night.

Wednesday: After studies. Went to church and talked to people walking by. Tried to invite them to come in and teach them about our church. No success. Iulian canceled who we met yesterday. Didn't go out to Sacele. After church a bit, went home, made some rice and ate with carrots and peas. Pretty good. It's fun cooking and at the same time a hassle. I like it though for the most part. Comsa family gave us back the BOM. What the?! You gotta read it! Then no Gabi-wasn't home. Then area book calls. took another nap. I AM ALWAYS TIRED. We walk a lot and the days we go running i seem to be a little more tired but not really. basically the same always. After calls went over to Mihai, said he would read what we gave him. Alma 7:11-16. And found out next day he DID. Haven't been able to meet yet at his house. Then at church we had a lesson with Ivan. Recent convert. Strong. Girlfriend, soon to be wife was baptized the same day but in Bucuresti. Good lesson and he asked some deep doctrine questions, Priesthood, Millenium, Ressurection. Stuff I had no idea about in English or Romanian.

Thursday: Running. Studies. Packed for overnight in Sibiu (2.5 hours away) Garments and toiletries and all that stuff! Went to Mihai again. Said he read. Then played some ping pong with Companion and Marius (Branch Mission Leader) and played the piano a little bit before District Mtg. with the Sisters. That went well. Talked about how to begin teaching and all our investigators. Then had lunch with them just at the church. Sandwiches. Then we went to the park by our house contacted some. Then went to blocuri (Dona) wasn't home. Knocked her neighbor blocs. Then had a lesson with Daniel, who was contacted a while ago by older Elders here. Good lesson. I taught about profets and apostasy! :\ It was slow but he understood the gist of it. Then he had a car and offered to take us up to the Gara or Train Station. Bought some viva snacks! I really like them. Especially for cereal in the morning. Like a chocolate....i don't know. Chocolate cereal. Then we got our bus/maxi-taxi smaller than a bus, big van/small bus. And went to Sibiu with Sisters of course. We got there and took a taxi to the Elders there. Met them, pretty cool guys. Elder Schafer and Elder Harvey who was in Elder Betteridge's District from the MTC. Talked some then went to bed.

Friday was good. Had training meeting. With our Zone. Elders and Sisters from Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, and Brasov (6 zones in our mission...this coming week, is zone conference where we meet with 3 zones) Before meeting got beat by Elder Schafer in Ping Pong, bought a paddle here and has played a lot. I am still rusty, haven't played in forever and I am used to my paddle, no excuses. I know. At meeting met Elder Nemrow from MTC and Elder Kebkar, both or whom are in Cluj. Meeting was good. We talked about 8 points from Preach My Gospel about how to become better teachers. Talked about "Our Pupose: The Doctrine of Christ," "Holy Ghost," and "Book of Mormon" I forget direct titles but that's basically it. Talked about those the whole day with President Lundberg and we took lunch break where we had some Chinese food, had chicken with bamboo and rice. Pretty good and with some suc/juice. For meeting we would role play and practice teaching, watch some videos from Preach My Gospel videos, "District 2" great learning tool seeing other missionaries doing the same thing. Then after the meeting, we went to the autogara (bus station - intercity and also coutry) our bus was full! NOOOOOOOO and the next bust was 2 hours plus away. :( so we had to wait for that time just sitting talking and we bought some snacks from the store, I had a delicious croissant covered in chocolate, joe (wafer chocolate treats) bread as always - staple of life! some water, and oreos. On bus, bourne identity finished up and then 21 started playing, both not the best movies but good ones. I tried and fell asleep like RIGHT before we got into Brasov. Tried not to watch the movies. But did a little bit.

Saturday was excellent! didn't really plan much for it but it was a good day none the less. Got back late last night 11:30 or so and still woke up at 6:30 so tired!!!!!!!!! Studies, wrote about half my talk. For personal and language study. Went to church, taught English. Words having to do with work and jobs. THen no lesson with ghita or nicu, went to mihai had some mici, pretty cold, then went home bought bread and tomato, had lunch, sandwiches. Then we went over to Bartolomeu and found a really awesome guy. Ovidui. Older maybe only 45 or 50. Married. Lives a little outside of Brasov. About 35-45 minutes I think Fagaras. Really interested and had a great lesson with him. Then towards the end, his nephew comes in and starts bashing us (He's an adventist) and Ovidui just walks out of the room. Doesn't say anything. The nephew like 25 or 28 throws out scripture. Sabbath on Saturday...i dont even know. He talked so fast and my companion talked to him. I just sat there.

Sunday: church just took it out of me. I was the first talk. Passed the Sacrament again with Marian. His Dad Gheorghe never made it to church but he was totally free today! Said he had to pick up his computer at the shop. UGH! Ovidui-we invited to church but he didn't come either, but....Marius Bogdon did come to church. He said he enjoyed it. My talk went well. On power of prayer, read some scriptures, read from true to the faith, and preach my gospel, scrips: matt 7:7, isaiah 55:8-9, Revelation 3:20, and Alma 37:37. Like each of those. After church met with Marius and taught him a lesson, he only stayed for the first hour. Sunday School taught youth about word of wisdom. Then Priesthood I was dozing off, I was so tired. Trying to understand. Maybe fell asleep for 5 minutes. After lesson with Marius. Went home had sweet lunch, Love SUnday lunch/dinner to break our fast everyweek. Had pancakes, and biscuits yummy yummy! Then made area book calls. Then went out to Mircea in Sacele. Good lesson with him, his son in law and daughter were so close to joining the church a while back. Hopefully Mircea will get baptized. He has potential for sure. Then we came home knocked some blocks by our house. Then finished up weekly planning we started yesterday (usually Friday but got pushed back because of training mtg) Then bed!

Overall it was a good week but we can do better and our lessons need to follow through. I hope all our investigators will have that desire to be baptized and want to learn more. I love you all I love this gospel. Hope you have a great week. I miss you and will be sure and take pictures of course!

By the way in my morning Studies. Personal Study reading a little bit or I try to read a chapter in Jesus the Christ (Talmage) I am now on Chapter 9 and really enjoying it. Learning a lot. Then I read a chapter in Book of Mormon in English, restarted that, today I read 1 Nephi 3-6. Really like Chapter 6. His purpose! Then in Romanian I also try to read a chapter, today read 2 Nephi 1.

Love,

Elder Schroedter

And PS. If you would forward it to the 5 teachers? Multumesc frumos! Va iubesc!

BRASOV!!!!!!

Hello Everybody!

Dad, Mom, Shelby, Garrett, Marissa, Grant, and send my regards to Caleb!!!! Get him an e-mail before I get back. I'll give you a couple years. ;)

(Marissa I know you have no time for this so I am sending it to your other e-mail address too. Don't bother reading now.)

SO SO SO crazy these past few days I can't believe a week ago I left the MTC! Seems like just yesterday and it seems like I have been here forever. I love it and am somewhat getting adjusted to the city pretty quick.

Before I DIVE in please if you could forward this e-mail to MY teachers and family as usual as I am sure you do. Glad you got an e-mail from Sora Lundbergh and President. And also forward it to maybe Sam Williams, Spencer, and Taryn. Only e-mail to family! It's all good - all about supunere (obedience!)

Fratele Middleton - stephen.middleton.ut@gmail.com
Fratele Jepsen - alex.jepsen@gmail.com
Fratele Irion - robbieirion@gmail.com
Fratele Miles - ctrben@gmail.com
Sora Petrisor - christina.petrisor@gmail.com

I think they are all correct. And tell Fratele Jepsen CONGRATS!!!!! on the Engagement!!!! And real quick for each of them I want to tell where everyone went in my group!! So they know and in case any other Elders don't e-mail their familes to forward it along here you go:

Elder Durand with Wirthlin in ARAD
Elder Pettit with Vekony in DEVA
Elder James with Ferrin in MIHAI BRAVU (Bucuresti)
Elder Nilsson with Brunner in CONSTANTA
Elder Mikolyski with Bennett in PANDURI (Bucuresti)
Elder Green with Sullivan in PANDURI (Buc)
Elder Nelson with Toronto in ALEXANDRIA
Elder Nemrow with Johnson, Brett in CLUJ-NAPOCA
Elder Ransom with Mathis in GALATI
Elder Lee with Martineau in BACAU
AND ME! Elder Schroedter with Betteridge in BRRAAAASSSSOOOOVVVVVV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think Elder Fonnesbeck when he comes will be with Frandsen in PITESTI? (NO IDEA!)

I'll let you know next week for sure.

So all the flights went all. From SLC to JFK sat next to a cool guy, Chuck from China, year younger than me and I was able to talk about missions and the church, lives in Utah, school in Rochester in New York. Didn't have as much time in JFK as I thought we would. Lines pretty long for boarding pass line but security wasn't too bad. OH! But in SLC...what the heck I get "Randomly" chosen for a full thorough check. Took out EVERYTHING in my backback. Had so much crap in there. Books - about 25 pounds. HEAVY!!! And then the guy was touching me everywhere. But I survived. FLight from JFK to Vienna. Probably shouldn't have. Watched PG Santa Clause 3. Eh...ok. At least it's better than what else was on there. Dinner for Schmucks and I really wanted to watch SALT, but I can wait a couple years for that. No probem. Then I just did sudoku, played backgammon on the tv. Sat next to some Austrian ladies and husband to one of them. Should have talked to them more. But did not. Felt like forever waiting in the Vienna airport. I was dying of THIRST!!!! Literally. No dang thirsty. and from flight from JFK they only gave you a cup. Should have got up and went to the back. My own fault. Each flight. Didn't get up ONCE! Legs were hurting after 8 hours! Whew wee! Then we arrived in Bucuresti from Vienna. Love short hour half flights. They are the best. Had a nice meal. Said Multumesc and what I wanted to drink in Romanian to the stewardess.

We get there. Get all our bags. Everyones was there thankfully. Always something on the back of my mind as we travel whether or not our bags will get there with you or a later flight. Then Pres. and Sora Lundbergh were there waiting for us. WIth Elder Van Orman (Elderly Couple) Office Elder and Sister. SIster was at the office. And then the 4 Assistants were there. I forget their names. First one I met was Elder Lyon. Then two office elders. Elder Harvey (Anderson's neighbor in UT) Left the day we got there. Never saw him.
So we say hello! THen walk over to the car. Take a pic with the ROmanian flag in the background. We are all dead. I slept hardly any on the plane and today I am still struggling to stay awake sometimes. I think because of a multiple reason of things. Oh well. So right as we get to the cars. We get our stuff for the night in our backpack. Luggage would be taken to the HOME. While we were going to the OFFICE and other places. Right as we get there. We see....guess what! A tigan, or gypsy! Elder James thought it was just a member of the Ward....but uh, nope. Maybe 7 years old. And Mom was a little ways away with 1 or 2 year old. Great welcome to Romania! haha asking for money Sora L. gave her couple pieces of candy.

Then we got in various cars. Pres and Sora Lundbergh have a van. Rented big van for Luggage. Another van. and I think another car/van. 4 total. We all went to the OFFICE. Got mini-ideas. PIcture of passport page to keep in our wallet. Got to know Van Ormans and had interviews with President! I told him about the Taggerts. Be sure and tell them "HI!" They say hi. And also just random If anyone ever asks me How I am doing? Tell them great! and tell them I say Hi to them! :) Because I do. Anyone who asks you. Ok? Thanks. They are on the 8 or 7th floor and had a little balcony. Got a pretty good view of Sector 2 and Sector 1 of Buc. Buc is a big circle basically. Split it up into 6 pieces like a pie. 6 sectors. After the office. 3 or 4 Elders went to the hospital type place. To be able to stay in the country. I don't know. Took blood pressure. Height. Weight. Allergies. Problems. Done. Seemed different for everyone, but we needed that sheet for the next day getting visas. Not thorough at all. I am healthy!

Then back to the office for just a bit. And we got our card to take out money and what not. THen we went with our nosi. Mine was Elder Kapsa, and I stayed the night with Elder Sullivan who was with Elder Nelson. We had a small sandwich and then after that We went bloc knocking I did first door approach...rejected. Got a couple interests. Took a pamphlet but not a good time right now. It was fun....I guess. Already used to rejection. Elder Kapsa was fun. Talkative and know Romanian pretty well! uhhhh a lot better than me. Took a tramvai/tram. Traffic is so crazy. ONe of the Elder's needs to take it easy. He is so crazy driving! And also on the way back from the airport, I rode with Elder Van Orman. Thought I was going to die a couple times, but didn't :P

After bloc knocking for a little bit. Planned. Then went to bed. And basically a BLOCK/ BLOC or plural blocuri. It's an apartment building. Stairwell with 20 residencies or bigger ones in Buc have I have no idea. 40. Basically all cement. All over Eastern Europe and Romania. A lot of my activity will be to knock them!

Then went to meet at Universitate. Got our visas. Lot of waiting around and lots of paperwork and what not for the office elders and assistants. Don't think I would like that that much...eh. Visa done. Met up with everyone. And we went to Chisinau Park. Same spot where Elder Nelson dedicated this land! Some construction in the water/lake area. Really dirty down there. But met with President and Sora. We sang and then they read the prayer. It was good. Then we went to the Mission Home of Pres. and Sora Lundburgh. Had a really nice meal. Lasagna. Beans. and a Salad. Had like 8 different juices. and we finished all of them (all 11 of us) then basically we all passed out on the couch. For like 15 minutes. Before that. Had dessert. Really good cake. Lasagna and Cake was different but I like it.
THen orientation about the mission from Sora Lundbergh. Specifics. Do's and Don't's. Pretty basic.

Then we all got our CITIES and TRAINERS. Mine is Elder Betteridge and going to Brasov. Um basically everyone wanted to go to Brasov or a couple other cities, Constanta, Buc, Arad, and I am the lucky one and get to go to Brasov. So this is Wednesday here. Waited a little bit. Then got our tickets for the train. Luggage adn everything. Train ride was good. about 3 hours north of Buc. In cabin with 2 women. one younger and one older. Got talking towards the end. I uh...just listened. While Elder Betteridge did all the talking. I actually understood the just and some concerns she had about what we were talking about. Then we got to Brasov. Then walked to our apartment not sure how far away. Little bit of a walk. Not too bad.

Then basically unpacked one suitcase and some of my backpack. Then went to bed!

Woke up. Unpacked everything else. (THURSDAY) had a lesson with Gheorghe, his family, wife, adn 2 kids are members, bus driver, but hasn't joined yet. Bus driving is keeping him from church. Good lesson on Gospel of Jesus Christ (Less. 3) Also Thursday...District Meeting with Sisters Walker and Puckett at the church. Brasov and I think there are 2 in Buc. Only cities with meeting houses...as of right now. I'll change that. After Dist. Mtg. Ate at McDonalds. Not bad. Kinda expensive. Like 5 bucks. Expensive compared to everything else. Had a good lesson with Vasile, member, in-active. I taught about Holy Ghost and Liahona in Romanian DUH! Too easy. Then finished day with block knocking. Had a good contact in Centru park, Alex. youth. Pretty good english. Loved seeing all the old guys arguing or playing "table" or backammon and chess.

Friday. Left apartment early. Service for the Miron family. Met them at Gheorghe's (Rautu Familia) Chopped some wood for Miron's and then neighbors too. 3 LEI bus ride out a little ways to "la tara" / countryside and then came back. Changed. Short lesson with Gabi, met him last night in the blocks. THen we had weekly planning. Then lesson with Eta about plan of salvation (older woman)

Saturday. Left apartment. To church. English Lessons every tuesday and saturday. I talked very little. Elder Betteridge taught the class. Then I talked about Atonement. After we had a spiritual thought. Then met Mihai, kinda interested we'll see. At meat stand. Then lunch. FIRST SHOARMA!!!!!! It was pretty dang good. Not a fan of mayonnaise but I'll learn to LOVE it. I want another one right now. THen another lesson with Gheorghe. Went to Adihna who we met in the Block. Then bloc knocking, got into into two of them elderly couple and older man with 12 year old son. 1st lesson.

Sunday was good. MIRACLE. We want 200 baptism by the end of 2010 and we got our work cut out for us. Lots of finding and kncoking needs to be done. I think we have 140 or so right now. I will try and do all I can. So every Sunday. We are fasting. Church at 10 to 1. Understand most of what people were saying. I am a "boboc" or baby duck. Every one says it. IT's funny. Vasile came! No Gheorghe or Eta. NExt week! ANd then ELder Vandermark was there with his parents. He was done last Wednesday. Bore his testimony. I was going to have to give a talk but never did. Sora Walker did. New in area but speaks perfectly. (BTW just us two ELders and two Sisters in Brasov, pretty big city) not sure people wise After Church. Went back to apartment, made nice lunch. noodles and meat and sauce. Cake. and bread. Very delicious. Then area book calls. Whiteboard contacting, drew Plan of Salvation without words. Asked people what they thought it meant. good way to start our convo. Gave out some pamphlets. THen called Eujan, called him last year, able to set up a lesson. LIves a little north of Brasov. Took bus up there and taught him about book of mormon and what not. Seemed really interested. Has a nice casa or house. Really rich!

ANd then today has been great. PREPARATION DAY! Cleaned. Laundry. Haircut. Mail place. Now internet. Then Lunch. Shopping then Gabi again, knocking, and trefan family, investigators.

The work is slow now. The sisters have a baptism date and we need to invite ours to baptism and get them to church. Only so many SUndays till the YEAR IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!! WORK WORK WORK. I love Romania and I love the church here. True pioneers. And it's tough. I really look up them. And to all the missionaries. I need to get this language down so I can actually talk to people! I can understnad as my companion is teaching, but putting sentences together is tough. Praying everyday helps and I learn so many words reading signs, scriptures, and trying to say what I want.

I love you all and I am excited to write you next week. Hopefully I do some good. Brasov is so great. And cool thing....uhhh basically the coldest city in the mission! So if I stay here one or two more transfers, pray for me. :) hehe. I love the cold. I can take it. I love the mountains. And also, Brasov has a Hollywood sign which is pretty awesome and I think we'll hike up there one of these P-days. I love you all.

Send my love to the rest of the family, friends, and Ward. I love you.

Love,

Elder Schroedter

Ghicesti ce?!

Hello Everyone!

(Subject says Guess WHAT?!)

And to that I say, for a third time in a row we have seen an apostle at the devotional!!!! ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD!!!!!!! It was so great to have him the last week and he said a lot of great things that my district needed to hear and need to take to heart.

Hope all of you are doing well! I feel like this is another goodbye, leaving the MTC. I could have chosen to love it or hate and for the most part I have chosen the prior. I really do love the MTC, despite what anyone says, they won't change my opinion about it. I will really miss the MTC and my District and I hope to may be companions with some of them later on. I will miss the Service every Monday. Along with the LTRC and TRC. The Teacher interviews weekly. The Tuesday Devotionals. The Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The Thursday P-days. THE TEMPLE. The organ prelude music every week. The laundry room. The cafeteria. The Classes. The Priesthood lessons and the Sacrament time. I will miss it all. And the informal, fun firesides. More laid back speakers. The Songs singing with 2000 missionaries. Seeing friendly faces from home, BYU, and other places. (Alma 17:2-3) The food. The dorms. The e-mail time although I'll still get it every Monday. GYM TIME!!!! 4-Square with my Romanian brothers. Rival Saturday with the Chileans and other Spaniards. I love 4-Square. V-ball. Every sport! I will miss my teachers Fratele Miles and Fratele Irion. And also Sora Petrisor and Fratele Jepsen and Fratele Middleton. The TEC - teaching Fratele Middleton. And everything else in between.

Friday was a good day. Felt really bad towards the end of the day because Elder Durands Mom sent us all 12 a little halloween package and fun stuff to do. Games and word puzzles, scrambled..etc and bag of candy. Off task a lot. Always good to take a break but today it was pretty bad. Good and bad I felt. Some people felt it was just good....ok.

Saturday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad you had a good day. :D :))))))) Gym today was probably the best ever. My best performance in 4-Square I want to say in my life. Not bragging about myself. I received many compliments and I could not deny the truth. Said humbly always always always! By the end of that day I was almost done with Revelation!!!!!!!

Sunday: Priesthood was good. Brother Goodman taught a really great lesson about the keys of the Priesthood and in Sacrament Elder Nelson from my District and from another going to Billings, Montana, Elder Hanson gave good talks about Christ's Earthly Ministry and the Atonement. Then Sister and Brother Trapnell spoke. Always love hearing both of them speak. And this week, temple walks got re-instated. We miss the past two weeks but it was good to go up to the temple although it was a little chilly. Wednesday Past (last in october) was so stinkin cold!!!!!!! and we had to host that week like I already told. The fireside was really great. Really enjoyed Sister and Brother Swensen speak and after we watched the Legacy (some of the District of course) I actually liked it although some parts could have been done better. It was a good movie.

Monday: Service, last one, Green, Nilsson, James, and Pettit got a lot of records up on the board. I wonder if they will last for a while. Nu stiu! I don't know! The wall of fame i guess helped the service along and made it fun, although it should not have been necessary. eh oh well. I never liked the records but i did set the ball in cup, like the japanese toys i remember playing with where ball on a string, try to get it in a small-ish cup. 46 times right here! LTRC went well, talked about our mission leader and various sicknesses he had, how he was getting better and what he was doingl. Then TRC, teaching the second lesson went well. I will miss all those Return Missionaries and today we had the study abroad student who went over there i think three times now, name is Robbie and he helps with the orphanage out there in Buc. LGM was well on the Spirit, just what Elder Scott talked about the week before. It is SO SO SO important in missionary work and to have that spirit in our lives!

Tuesday: Awesome as always. Love Tuesday (and also 3rd to last gym today) Devotional was really great. Elder Ballard talked about becoming a master communicator and I loved his stories about him preaching to groups of people in England and when he was mission president and after would visit the mission of Toronto I think Canada. Love the stories they have to share with us. D&C 11:21. I always hear that scripture....But i know it is so important! We have to know what we are teaching. Know the doctrine of Christ and once we do that, we will be able to help people become converted when they FEEL the Spirit we emulate and help them to feel. Great talk!

Wednesady: Hosted, but it was good. Missed gym time but I lived. Was a good day. Wednesdays are always good.

Thursday: temple was awesome. My last time for 22 months! I'll make I think. I love to see the temple so so so much. I love the Spirit and how at peace I feel.

Marissa! I apologize! I didn't ever give you feedback on your talk at all! Did I? Regardless, it was great. I wish I could have heard it in person (2 Nephi 33:1 I think) things are always more powerful when you hear them being said. I really loved reading through. I am saving all my dear Elders but Not bringing all of them with me. Don't be offended. I'll still keep them. Just they will be at home. No biggie. My Farewell! E-mails are fine. Really. Letters...you dont' have to send me a single one, but just e-mail me please. And that would be great. Serious! Nu Problem daca voi nu trimiti e-maili! te rog.

I love you all. I will see you in 22 months. The time has flown by in the MTC and I know it will out there but I will enjoy every minute. I apologize for no pictures. In two years I'll share them with you. No worries and I'll try to send some one of these days. Don't send any dear elders on Saturday becasue I don't get them till Monday. And i wouldn't even get them! Travel plans last friday. Leaving 5 am from the MTC by the time school ends in texas time I will be in JFK and be by a phone calling. Please send me a DEAR ELDER TOMORROW! with Garrett's and Shelby's number. Thank you. I love you so much.

Love,

Elder Taylor L Schroedter