Monday, February 28, 2011

I'll Find You My Friend!!!

Hello everyone, friends, family, family of companions, the world.

First off. Awesome week. Went to my 6th city - Arad! Small but really awesome city in the west or Romania. Awesome Zone Conference where I was able to see Elder Betteridge again (he is coming down for a two-day exchange while Elder Durand heads up to Arad) Training and Zone Conference was so so awesome and inspiring and made me want to do everything so much more! I saw the Elders from our Arad Zone-Arad, Timisoara, Oradea, and Deva. I love all the Elders and Soras in my zone. We have great missionaries in our mission. I love President Lundberg and Sora Lundberg. I'll miss them a lot when comes July 1st. :( Marissa! For the first time for a lot of peeps, they heard the story, I'll Find you my Friend. I love that story so much. And I am sure it's somewhere on the net you could look it up and find it. But it wasn't my first time I heard it. We still have 53 more friends to find to finish our goal of 200 to baptize. Just because you don't do something on time means you need to give up. You need to endure. Integrity and the will to finish the task. Going along with this we saw a sweet movie, I think "Go getter" or something. About aWilliam Peck, kinda older times, he never gave up. And didn't get the "blue vase" on time but he did get it and deliver it. Old video, but quality acting and one of my favorites. ;) "Be a Bill Peck!" I know one of my friends is waiting for me in Romania. I'll find him.

I love the Book of Mormon. So many awesome missionaries and example I have to look up. One of them was Shiblon, the son of Alma.
And he was a just man, and he did walk uprightly before God; and he did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of the Lord his God; and also did his brother.

As a missionary, everyday I try to do good continually! And keep the rules and the commandments. Something that Elder Durand said I really like as we were weekly planning and reviewing what we learned at the conference was about what we can do. He said three words. "Obedience. Diligence. Faith." I know as we do all WE CAN do, the Lord will make up the difference and we will find those who are ready for this gospel.

I love my District so much. Everyone is different and the District Leader, Elder Zavala in two weeks and a day he will be on his way home. i am going to miss him so much. He is such a great missionary. And at zone conference he gave a great testimony. Elder Kopsa is a great Elder. He struggles with the language but doesn't give up and has great jokes, and an awesome attitude. And my companion beats them all! Sorry. Elder Durand is sweet. I try to make him be senior and lead lessons and discussions. Making him talk more and I say nothing. It hasn't worked yet dang it. He has to get ready for next transfer when he becomes senior! haha but things are going great. we are having success. Lessons and new investigators. 3rd transfer so far has been my favorite. And I still love and will never forget Elder Betteridge and Bateman. I have truly been so so lucky with the companions I have gotten. I hope it continues. And what the heck?! Elder Zavala and Durand keep saying I am going to be cross-citied moved to the other Elder's apartment to be DISTRICT LEADER. NO! I need to go back to be junior. hehe but, I'll Go where you want to me Go. We shall see.

Past week was awesome:
Monday: good P-day. always goes by way fast! went to church, had pizza - dopo poco. really good. then watched the District 2. Wrote letters and caught up in my journal. Still a week behind...oh well. Then shopping at Kaufland. Then home. Then out and about hitting up those BLOCS! That's what I'm talking about. Got sweet lesson with nice younger guy Razvan, going back tonight. And a Jehovah's Witness family invited us in. Kinda sorta a Plan of Salvation lesson. We'll go back there tonight too, same area, eh....nu stiu. How do people get so so convinced they have the true church? Why does God let Satan have control over them to convince them that they are in the right and have the truth? Satan is a smecher. Father of Lies.

Tuesday: Good lesson with recent convert, Sora Ungureanu. Husband works in Italy and she is a really sweet member in our branch and active and strong, baptized last year. Then home for lunch. Then got bunged/cancelled a couple lessons. :( then went and visited a less active - Sora Ana. Back hurts and hasn't been to church for quite a while. Trying to get her to come back! Then went to church for a first lesson with guy we met on street. Feel really good about him, name is Leo. Doesn't really have a relationship with God and we're meeting tomorrow or Wednesday. Then we switched for exchanges. I went to the other area with Elder Kopsa while Elder Durand stayed up north with Elder Zavala coming to him.

Wednesday: Picked up dry cleaning. back home. lunch. then pretty good lesson with long term eternal investigator, Irina. Would only come to church cause she said yes and after first hour just go to orthodox. Her daughter is a member living in Utah right now. I see potential in her for sure. Then we went to a recent convert. So awesome-Fratele Popescu. Good lesson about the BOM and learned some ROMANIAN! Everyday I learn so much! Then back to the church. Then went home.

Thursday: Such a sweet experience. Remember those "Cards" we have with tasks to do and thigns to do for studies and contacting and what not. One of them was "give a lady/baba/OLDER LADY a flower" baba = old grandma. So we went and bought one. We spot out a couple potentials. eh, too late, went in that store over there. dang it. too late. then this one lady. goes up to a atm, then into a store and we are going to give it to her. Then she comes out....we walk after her in a non-stalker way. We come up to her. And she says hey, you are the two boys that gave me a flower last month! WHAT THE FREAK?! (So Elder Durand and Wirthlin (on exchange) give a baba a flower) and a month later we find the same ONE! The same lady in a city of a LOT of people! So I was like....uh should I give it to her. We ended up not giving it to her. Then we went to another lady. Asked her if she knew God loved her. I said. God wanted me to give this to you. Then said Know that God loves you and have a good day. Felt really good. and She seemed happy to receive it. After that contacted some. Home lunch. then potential visits. no one home or they couldn't meet. then lesson with Ciprian. Ciprian Ciprian. This guy knows EVERYTHING. He is just caught up on the deep deep doctrine stuff. (If you could hie to kolob) "...where gods began to be." what the heck does that mean? He talks about how the trinity makes sense and asks us how can God have a God. And how a couple scriptues contradict each other in the Bible. Deep doctrine was not meant for us right now. We are meeting with him this week hopefully twice and getting him to pray and receive an answer is what he needs. Just hasn't done the SIMPLE and SMALL things...yet

Friday: Woke up a little early. Train at 820 to Arad. arrived at 1000. Went to the mall, book store and read for language study. Lunch at mall, then went to the villa. Chatted. Set up. Then had special training meeting. Breaks. Dinner. Good lessons. Two main points- REVELATION THROUGH PRAYER and HOW TO BEGIN TEACHING taken from Preach my Gospel. After a long day we went to the hotel. Pretty nice. Went down to lobby had some sarmale, mamaliga, and carnati, I love Romanian food so much! Then bed.

Saturday: Woke up and went back to the villa/church after breakfast. Good zone conference. oh....uh three people were called to give a talk. I was ONE of them. On 2 Nephi 2:27. Talked about POS we chose to come to Earth. And sometimes we are blinded and forget why we came. And agency. Then coming on a mission. Remember why we came on a mission and never forget it. Work hard everyday. Make decisions everyday. It was good. Then other stories and talks from President and Sora Lundberg. It was a good day. Then back to TIMI . Home made some phone calls. Then weekly planning. Bedtime.

Sunday: Good church today. good talks. one by a new member. I played the piano. Tough when I make a mistake and everyone just staring at me! Plus the branch needs some help with choir lessons and singing. But it's going well. Then home. Walked home with Sora Gabi as usual. Then lunch. After that had good lesson with a 7th day adventist retired man. Really nice and funny. Then another lady, struggling in life and good restoration lesson with her. Then visited potentials and then back home.

We are getting lessons and having success. We can do more and need to invite people to follow Christ and take the next step. And be baptized. People are ready! We just have to ask. I love this church so much and love this opportunity and blessing I have to share something I hold so dear with others. I love this Gospel. I love you Dad, Mom, Shelby, Josh, Aubrey, Garrett, Kristi, Brodie, Elsie, Millie, Marissa, Chase, Grant, Caleb, and Taryn. I love you all.

Love,

Elder Schroedter


Monday, February 21, 2011

Why Wait Until Tomorrow??!!!

Hello!
Hope you all had a super-fantastic-awesome week! It was a good one hear in Timisoara. I love this city so much and the people, too. Despite the doors to the face (literally) just kidding, but not really. The swearing at us. Kicking us out of blocs. Angry people. It builds me up even more in a way.

First off. SAM! Happy Birthday man!!!! I saw my watch on Saturday and was just like, what the?! It's Sam's birthday today. I told my companion about you and everything else. I hope you had a good day brother! Also this Saturday, Happy Birthday to Laura Andersen! We went over to Sora Gabi's again this week and she got on facebook and showed us pictures of her family and of YOUR sister, Sora Andersen. And Sister Colleen Andersen: Sora Gabi showed us the blanket you made for her. She loves you and Pres. Andersen so much. And your daughter Kim too! She is a great member in our branch. She gave a great talk yesterday in church. For everyone else, I apologize for all the birthdays I forget. No, I mean to say Happy Birthday to you even if I forget. Family. Friends. And soon to be friends. I just know too many people, what can I say? ;) but really. Ne e gluma! I do know too many people! Eh but I can't know enough! I meet so many people everyday and especially still hearing new names it's hard to remember but I manage.

In our zone we have this deck of cards. Things to do for Personal Study and Companion Study, for fun, for goals, mission standards of excellence and what not. This week, with the help of Elder Zavala on our exchange, Elder Durand and I handed out 20 Book of Mormon and got their address or number if we gave it out. :) it felt really good to finish the 20th one. (one of the cards in the deck says: Hand out 20 Book of Mormons in one week) But we did it! YAY us. Success. We have met some really nice people and hope to go places with these peeps. And when I say places I mean go to CHURCH! I want to fill up that bazin/basin we have! I want to see someone receive and know the Book of Mormon is true. I want people to be happy. The hard part of this work, seems like we can always do more. I would say I am working the hardest in my mission right now. I am studying hard, practicing and speaking the language more and giving out more brochures and handouts, cards, and books! We can do all we can do. But how much is that? I know as we are diligent and do all we can we will be blessed and God will make up the difference and guide us to those who need this message.

Speaking of Studies: Weekly wisdom and dive in the scriptures. Today finishing up True to the Faith and Alma finally. TTTF. read today Teaching the Gospel (very fitting) Temples - also very fitting considering there will be one here in Romania and I will visit back for that day! And also Temptation. I love the story of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price. When he is straight up talking with SATAN. I was thinking about that and trying to imagine what that would be like. If you want to read it - moses 1:12-22. reading that another scripture hit me even harder said by Nephi in 1 Nephi 4:2 Therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Moses; for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of captivity, on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea. Moses is a sweet example. Cast out Satan. Split the rock for water and split the water for the dry rock (land) to cross through. Then in Alma today read Alma 54-56. I love the 2000 sons of Helaman. Sweet examples to follow. I want to be like them someday. I love reading and learning and pondering the scriptures. I am as much on this mission for me as well as for others. Strengthening myself. Other members. Less actives. And non-members inviting them to Christ. This message will fill the Earth. I know it!

It was a good week.
Monday: Hit up the black box in Iulius Mall. Bowling! Had lunch at a chinese place in the mall. Shopping. Home. Then went and visited a former investigator Suraj. He has trouble accepting the Book of Mormon and wouldn't commit to pray. I tried. He's got a tough work schedule. First off has a 1 year old. Wife too. Works 8 PM at night till 8 AM in the morning. Oh my gosh. I would hate that. And it's everyday and occasionally he gets days off. These Romanian work so hard and such long hours. It's sad their wages are so low. But we had a pretty good lesson. Out the door. Going down the stairs (during the lesson, his wife is in the kitchen the whole time) she comes out and says oh I prepared a meal! So we go back in. She sets it all up. We had a salad, pickle, fries, sausage, and I tried for the first time, CHICKEN LIVER. hehe Elder Durand didn't know the word for it and I was about to just not tell him before he ate it. haha. but I did tell him and we both tried it. I didn't mind it, but one was enough. Not my favorite but I'll eat it. And of course with every meal, gotta have a piece of bread. And we had some kind of drink-shasta.

Tuesday! District meeting went well. I like our District. 4 really good Elders. Then we went to a less active. called on the telecom but just hung up. :( we got in and left him a note in his mail box. Then lunch. Then went to potential investigators that actually two years sisters had contacted and we set up two return appointments. Then we had English. I love teaching it and it's fun. Messing up in Romanian. Forgetting words in english. I make it fun and wish more people would stay for the GOSPEL. But asta e. Then we went on exchanges. I went with Elder Zavala to our area adn Elder Durand went with Elder Kopsa to their area. Had good lesson and Romanian dish, cheese something rolls. pretty good. Then went home.

Wednesday: Good day with Elder Zavala. I am going to miss that Elder when he leaves in less than a month back home! He is an awesome Elder and basically perfect at the language. Morning we went to a little store, Gabriela, she works all day basically too! And lots of other guys were there drinking....water! I wish. No it was beer. and they are usually there chatting it up and taking a break from their lives. Gave out 5 books of mormons to everyone except Gabriela. Thursday elder Durand and I went back and gave her one. Then we had lunch. Then contacted in the parc. Had a good lesson on the bench. Can't wait till it warms up more and we can go to the parks more. It rained and was kinda cold about 35 this week and not a lot of people were at the parks. After the park. We went to the church. He didn't show up. Then to a member. Her son about 45 is in the hospital. It was a good visit and she is a really nice member, Sora Mitin. Then we went to the blocs and met some nice people. Had short lesson with younger woman, and gave her the Book of Mormon. Then went back to the church, switched back and went home

Thursday! It was a good day. Started out with villa knocking, met really nice lady, she was at her daughters house, had short lesson and invited us in. Got number and address of her just down the street. Joita. Then lunch. Then went to potential investigators in a bloc got a lesson with one of them. Really nice lady. Maria. Then we went bloc knocking, got a lesson with younger woman Mihaela. Then went to Sora Gabi's for meal and member visit. Then bloc knocking.

Friday: Good day. Went street contacting and not a whole lot of luck. Met one guy, said he would meet up. Then gave out a Bom right as we were coming home. it was raining really lightly today, Saturday and Sunday. Then got home, lunch, weekly planning. Then good leson with Vali and Ramona. They finally were able to meet! Said they were coming to church but they didnt. :( Really nice couple. Struggling and have 3 kids. Then we went to the blocs! Had some success and small schpeals about the BOM and gave 3 more out! Then Adrian bunged us and we called it a night.

Saturday: Last english class. It hasn't really RAIN rained yet here but it was sprinkling today and killed some of our plans to go contacting on the street and villas but that's ok. English was good. Got really nice compliments from people saying they loved it. :) Visited some less actives for the afternoon. One was home but she lives in England and only visits Romania every now and again. A fair amount of people have moved away after being baptized here. Italy. Spain. Germany. England. It's frustrating! Need more members! To finish the night just went to blocs.

Sunday: What the?! I had to give my 3rd talk! Elder Durand hasn't even given one yet. Oh but he will. But really the members need to be doing it! Strengthening them and calling the less actives to come and give a talk. Had good other talks by recent convert Sora Ingrianu and Sora Gabi. Good Sunday School and Priesthood. Rest of sunday went well. Lunch. Then return visits to some peeps. Then other formers and potential investigators. Then finished with the blocs.

It was an awesome week this week and we had some success!!! Hope to keep it up and get a baptismal date as requested from the Mission President. The new mission president will get here in July. President to be Hill and Sora Hill from Provo, UT (faculty of BYU) I love this work and hope to continue to finding the people that are ready for our message.

I love you all and hope you have a great week. hope the e-mail wasn't too boring. I love you!

Love,

Elder Schroedter


Monday, February 14, 2011


Don't Give Up - Because You Are LOVED!!

Well Hellooooooooo!

Happy Valentine's Day? What the heck?! Where did February go from me?! Already half way started/ended/over/begun? Half empty right? NO! Half full always. Eh, it doesn't matter how you look at a cup, it's how you live your life. Positive or Negative. I am positive and it seems to work pretty well. But uh....didn't really seem like my 5 month mark last TUESDAY! Feb. 8. But me and Elder Durand for both of us! It's our 5 month mark! AH! Time is going by so fast. I feel like there is such a huge task in front of me. 2500 members. Country size of Oregon. Most members are inactive. 19 cities. 95 missionaries. Population...TWENTY-TWO MILLION people!!!!!!!!!!! A positive attitude is the key. We need to and I am getting to know the members and encourage them. We want to teach them and their friends. We want to make people happy! How do you be happy? Have this Gospel as a central part of your life. Atat! Prea usor! (That's it. Too easy.)

We are trying. Shall not run faster than he has strength. I love this scripture and memorized it this week. John 14:27. Great promise. And we all need peace, more peace in our lives. And there is one person who can give it to us. And not as the world giveth. Jesus Christ. I invite others to come unto Christ. Restoration of the Gospel. It's true! I promise.

I love studies in the morning so much and they are so important. The Spirit is such an important part of this work and I have felt it so much this week. In lessons and studying and at church oh and also Saturday......I love the Book of Mormon! Now reading the advice and counsel of Alma to his three sons. Today I read the beginning to Helaman and so many good scriptures I LOVED. Alma 36 through 37. WHAT I AM DOING:

aPreach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be bmeek and lowly in heart; teach them tocwithstand every dtemptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Alma is my favorite. He's is pretty high on the list for me that I am pretty excited to see. :) Younger and the Elder.

From True to the Faith I love it everytime I read from it. Nearly done with it. Today read about Repentance and the Restoration of the Gospel. Two great topics and lots of depth and great scriptures. Something we have gotten a TON this week as well as in my 3 months here. We have a Bible and it's enough. Why do we need this "other book" the Book of Mormon.

**2 NEPHI 29: 3-9

I am trying to share the message and relying on Christ for He is my strength and my foundation. I love this work so much and I know I will have success in the near future.

It was a good week this past week.

Monday: Went to church after having KFC. Played Ping pong and then shopping then finished the night with bloc knocking. No luck and no one let us in. :(

Tuesday: district meeting was good. Elder Zavala is such a great missionary and District Leader. I can't believe Timisoara had 12 missionaries at one point and now we only have 4! EVERYBODY. Go read Pres. Monson's talk last conference. Why was the first thing he said in conference? YOUNG MEN - SERVE A MISSION! Uh...I think the world has some need of YOU! District Meeting went well. Good discussions and lessons and what not. It always pumps me up. We have a great district here in Timi. Elder Zavala and Elder Kopsa and Elder Durand and then...Me. After did some contacting in Centru. Lunch. Then met up with other Elders and handed out some Books of Mormon in Centru and in a nearby preatty busy street/park. Close to Centru. Then had English about 15 students or so. Only 5 or so stay for the Spiritul Thoughts. English is fun and I enjoy teaching it. After English we did an exchange, Elder Kopsa came with me in our area and Elder Durand went with Elder Zavala. we went home for the propiatar to sort out some bed issues, got that all straightened out. Then went out and did a bloc

Wednesday: After studies, went on the streets and gave out a book of mormon. Then lunch and propiatar (landlord) came by again and fixed the kitchen light for us and other lights too. Then we went and knocked some villas. Found really nice couple with three young kids. We'll go back there. Then did some blocs. Then went over to the church to meet with recent convert Adrian who was baptized in Bucharest but comes and works in Timi during the week. He is stubborn and won't speak Romanian with the Elders. Which kinda bothers me because...I need to learn this language. I gotta be the best speaker! Then switched back from our exchange and went back home.

Thursday: Went to the blocs and stuffed them with pliants and visiting cards. Then came home. Lunch. Then went to the parc. Met potential and gave him a Book of Mormon. On the ground Elder Durand found and picked up 100 lei (33 bucks!) and uh we didn't know what to do! Tithing! hehe he paid it on Sunday. Then we did some streets. Then a bloc. Then went to the church. Had a good lesson with an investigator who has been investigating for a while. Ciprian. He has a problem with Heavenly Father having a Father? The eternity or Eloheims is what he said. The Trinity makes sense for him and how God has always been God from the beginning and Heavenly Father doesn't have a Father. We tried to keep it simple and not get in the deep doctrine. I don't even understand it I told him. And we invited him to pray and to the activity/meeting on Saturday. He said he couldn't promise us he would pray. Hopefully he will. Then we did a bloc and went on home.

Friday: Was a good day today. Contacting. home. lunch. weekly planning every friday. Then we visited Vali and Ramona (who we met wednesday) said come back Sunday. Then member visit to Sora Ana, less active and has some trouble sleeping at night, insomnia. And hasn't been to church very often. Good lesson on Faith and she served us some chicken and potatoes. Then we went to a street we decided in studies to bloc knock. Found awesome family Dorin Braez and he is a really awesome guy. Hopefully something will come of it. I love success, especially when we are in the blocs! Blocs are tough sometimes. But I learn to love it.

Saturday: Had english, then we had some lunch. then we just sat around the church a little bit. Just waiting. Oh Then at 5 o clock. My companion baptized Gabriela Rosu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was Elder Zavala's investigator and actually or aunt I think was the last baptism in Timisoara that happened my second transfer (Elder Tefft had that baptism - his second day in the country!!!!!) It went really well. Elder Durand did awesome. I was a witness with Elder Kopsa and a good turnout from the branch and even a couple former investigators and also Ciprian came too. It went well and she gave an awesome testimony. I played the piano. Then after, went home and took wet clothes and food from lunch home. Then went bloc knocking and found Florin in the bloc. Had a good lesson and gave him the Book of Mormon.

Sunday: Church went well. Great talks Sora Jureschi and Fratele Iulian (return missionary - London) Then Elder Kopsa gave a good talk. Sunday School was on John 4-6. Then Priesthood on the Holy Ghost. Halfway during Sacrament, we lost power to the villa and I didn't play the piano for the intermediate or closing hymn....uh music helps a lot. I'll just say that and the branch just needs practice and time to get better at singing. :) We're growing together. For the perfecting of the Saints, not for the perfect saints. :) After, home, lunch, then Vali and Romona couldn't meet. Found nice lady Petra in the blocs. Then went and visited Ani who we met the first week. Lucian wasn't home (husband) his mom was there though Luci. Then we went home.

Today has been a good day. Weather has been mild? 30 to 45 usually. Gets pretty cold at night and in the mornings. Haven't worn the trench coat once. Probably uh could have though. hehe when we get in the blocs every one here is our mom. "wait where's your coat? that's all your wearing!" I love it. Don't worry, I have a lot of people to watch over me. :) Don't worry Mom. It's safe. If people carry a gun, they have to have it for their job.

Looking forward to what this week brings. :) I love you all and thank you for your support, prayers, e-mails. I know I am loved. Thanks Josh (Groban) I love that song so much. I listen to that song so much and I feel good every time and it never gets old.


I love you. Pace domnului.


Love,


Elder Schroedter


Monday, February 7, 2011

The First Reunited Ship!!

Hello!

My companion...I don't have to get to know him and get over all his quirks and little things here and there. I already know him! Elder Durand is awesome. We both want to get some work done and I have a good feeling about this transfer. We are being obedient and I know the Lord will bless us with success. I love it here in Timisoara. The city is HUGE! I think the 2nd or 3rd biggest in Romania! It has one of the biggest malls ever! Iulius! Go by it almost everyday. The branch is about the same as in Brasov and has lots of room to grow. Lots of members but lots of less-actives. I hope to find many investigators as well as reactivating the members who need the extra push and help. I am positive and I see a bright future ahead. "We can't change the past. We can remember or forget it. Learn from it. Live in the present. Look towards the future. Make the future what you want it, by living in the present." We make the day, week, transfer what we want it to be. You get out of it what you put into it.

Centru here is so pretty and I will take pictures today or sometime and try to send you some eventually! I apologize it's been awhile. I'll send you some today too! There is a huge church here in centru, tops the black church, but not the history of it. And there are lots of chruches here and there scattered throughout the city. We have church just in a house/villa. Hope to keep the branch growing and get a chapel! I love it here so much already. We are getting along great, Elder Durand and I. And it's weird I call all the shots throughout the day! :\ AH! But I stay confident. I know I am ready and I am excited to work together as a team to have success! The other Elders in my District - only two others(Zavala-last transfer! and Kopsa-out a year). I heard it was 12 Missionaries in the city at one point! Only about 95 missionaries in our mission! Was about 120 last year at this time! And I think in 2008 when Sora Andersen was here it was also pretty big. I was looking in the Area Book last Thursday when I saw her name! WHAT THE?! With Sora McKnight? and another companion I can't remember. Your city is in good hands. I am here now! No worries Kim! :)

It was a good end to the transfer with Elder Bateman in Brasov and a good start so far with Elder Durand here in Timi.

Monday: Had some pizza for lunch with the Sisters. Then went grocery shopping. Then we went over to Marius's. He is packed and set to go! Now is he is already in the MTC in PRESTON! WOW. He is already such a good missionary. doesn't even need the MTC. I am excited for him so much. After Marius's, went to the church and had Family Home Evening with Alecu and Adrian and Teo and Levi. Invited Victor, but he didn't show. Hopefully he'll come to church soon! Elder Bateman and the new companion will take care of Brasov, I know they will. We had a really good Restoration lesson with Adrian, he is such a jokester, but I think just with time and hanging around Alecu, Levi, and Teo he'll realized the importance of our message.

ALSO. Zone Leaders called us Monday. And some quite big news. For the Cluj Zone...(inclusiv Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, and Brasov) for the month of January we had the most lessons with a member present in the HISTORY OF THE ROMANIA MISSION! Now 18 years old! Elder Bateman and I had 5 member presents which is above the standard of excellence for the mission (4). Hope to continue that in TIMISOARA! Break the Arad ZONE! (Arad, Timisoara, Deva, and Oradea)

Tuesday: Good day. :) Bought train tickets. Then had a lesson with baptismal date Mircea, he will be pushed back a week, but we had a good lesson on the Word of Wisdom and knows and WANTS to be baptized! Also went over the interview questions with him. Then had a lesson with less-active Fratele Vasile Manea. He will not come to church! UGH! Just offended and doesn't like the branch members, few of them. Get over your self Brother! Get to church! I know he is free every Sunday. Retired. He needs to go! I got his address and he wants me to write him. He writes a lot of missionaries, esp. Sisters that frist taught him. After him we tried to visit some other investigators but no luck. I called a couple and said good bye. Mihai-mici! George-english. Eddy and Alex-nigerian bros. Ioan-eng. Then we went to the church for going away party for Marius on his mission. Good turnout from the branch. Said goodbye to everyone. I'll really miss the branch a lot and can't wait to visit again. During or post mission. And a couple activities I never got to do that I want to do. Maybe When my parents visit and pick me up. I'll take them up to Brasov. My boboc transfers. (boboc - baby duck/greenie/first transfer) After party, went and had a good lesson FINALLY with Doamna Ciobanu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MADE THE TRANSFER! IT had been so long since she has been home when we visited or wanted to visit. I hope it just wasn't because I was leaving! She still wants to be baptized though! Just health problems. Elder Betteridge has sent her two letters already! I need to too! I will miss her and I really hope she will get baptized soon.

Wednesday: woke up...4am! WHAT THE?! train at 530 to bucharest, got there at 920 and spent the day at the gara and in Bucharest. Our train to Timisoara - a sleeper train was at 11 pm! SCUTESTE-MA!!!!!!!! Got to TIMI at 730 Thursday morning. I loved seeing all the MTC group. We left around lunch time to go and get our vizas. But they only last a year so we'll have to get another one sometime. Had some breakfast at McDonalds. Loved seeing EVERYONE. Spent a lot of time with Elder Betteridge, it was awesome to see him. He was on our train to Timisoara. He is my Zone Leader (in Arad) MTC Companion - Elder Mikolyski, Elder Green, Elder Nelson, Elder Newrow, Elder Fonnesbeck. And for the first time in 3 months! ELDER LEE! I want to serve with him so much! I love Elder Lee! And my fellow Senior Companions Elder Nilsson with Elder Miner (2nd Transfer) and Elder Pettit with Elder Horgmo (2nd transfer) Then I later saw Elder James in the day too and in the metro. I helped Elder Lee off to Constanta, almosted missed their bus! and I helped Elder Bateman with his boboc! Elder Eckersly on the train to Brasov! Talked with people. Then went contacting with Elder Durand a little in Buc. Then finally our train time comes.

Coming into the city, early Thursday morning. So tired! Didn't get much sleep on the train. Woke up a lot. And it's tight space. And wasn't the smoothest ride. I did fine. Morning at apartment. Cleaned it up. Then went and contacted in Centru. Bought abonament. Went to church. And did some blocs!

Friday: Contacting. Lesson - she didn't show up :( Then lunch, weekly planning, went to a street, did a bloc, had dinner at Sora Gabi's and shared short message from Preach My Gospel. Then blocs.

Saturday: English, teaching medium, and not beginners like in Brasov. It's a little different but I like it. Then we had a good lesson with Anne, about Restoration. In Romanian and English. Then lunch. Then visted a former, but didn't answer. Did blocs and streets in the area and got TWO lessons in the blocs. First one went really well and got phone number and plan on coming back next week. Feel good about that couple and one daughter - 12. And an interesting chat/lesson with their neighbor downstairs. Not too much potential but we'll try.

Sunday: Church went well. I bore my testimony in Sacrament meeting. In Sunday School had good lesson about John 3 and 4 from the New Testament. Priesthood-Elder Zavala taught about obedience and baptism. Then lunch. Then another former. She wasn't home. Knocked bloc in the area but no luck. :(

It was a slow first week but I am looking forward to this week. There is so much potential all around the world. And I know there are ready people here in Timisoara! I can't wait to find them! I love you and hope you have a good week.

For behold the afield is white already to bharvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in cstore that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

It's ready.

Love,

Elder Schroedter