Monday, October 31, 2011
Halloween, Interviews, Old Friends
This past week went well for myself. Last monday we went delivering treats to some members, kinda sprinkling but went in and out of semi solid rainfall. not downpour. or pouring. or sheets. cats and dogs. or as i say, "buckets" of rain. Just slightly more than a pleasant drizzle. If you understand. It was enough rain to walk around in about 30 minutes, trying to find a member or two and getting soaked in the meantime because I did not want to use my umbrella, my hands were already full carrying the brownies, a book of mormon and a bible and i couldn't afford the umbrella. Not too fitting for the situation. But I survived and haven't really had much of occasion to get soaked in my freshly dry cleaned suit. But all in all, and honestly the suit I was wearing. I have two, blue and black. Got the black one dry cleaned and it was in need of a wet-clean. Anyways, that was a good night and it was enjoyable visiting and getting lost trying to find the wonderfully planned out addresses in this beautiful city of Arad. You don't even know. Some numbers/letters/symbols...ok no symbols. But they follow usually no pattern at all!!!!!!!!!!!! Frustrating, but I have gotten pretty good at finding addresses. I just think about it logically where I would think it would be and just go the opposite direction and I have doubts that it never works, but it always does. I do love this country so much of Romania. It is so different here in Banat (timisoara, arad) comparing to Ardeal (brasov) and Oltenia (bucuresti) I love the west of the country. Arad and Timisoara might be my favorites. But we'll see.
I was sick after my stroll in the rain, my sinuses are normal and vitals, normal and all back to good health. :)
Started up english this week and that went alright. Not the best turn out for medium class but beginner was well for the Sisters. And the advanced class is about the same for the McFaddens. Hopefully one of our referrels we contacted from the office will go somewhere. He is interested in English and reading from the Book of Mormon. haven't met with him, but he came to the first English class and I thought he enjoyed it. We will have to see how he is doing and try to set up this week. He has some potential and also one of his neighbors we were talking to for a while, she might go somewhere too.
This past week was frustrating in the fact that none of the 8 solid investigators that we have couldn't meet up. It's very frustrating. But that just means me and Elder Schanck, we have to keep working and find new investigators. We have good relationships with most of the members and need to try and seek out their friends if they will listen to our message. Lots of finding and contacting people. With winter coming in, we will be in the blocs a lot. And doing vilas still. And contacting people on the street. This part of the country is great, because people will stop on the street, there is simply no excuse that we do not have investigators to regularly meet with and talk to.
Last night we had a good visit with Paul. From Timisoara, lived in the states for a long time. And he came to church last week. I met with him a couple times in tTmisoara, now he lives here and we are working with him. Great older guy, just some issues he is still stuck on in the past. Great guy though. We'll see.
It was great to visit Timisoara for an exchange with Elder Nemrow, I loved our two exchanges we had in Constanta and he followed me over to the west side of the country. We visited with Ana, she is doing well. Irina, mom of a member that I used to work with. Said she'd come to church. Two younger girls, very religious, interested in English, and the Book of Mormon as well. And then visited Sora Gabi there, a member. We got a lot done and hoping Elder Nemrow will be able to meet with all those people too. It was a full busy day and I always love going back to that city. I know I don't serve there anymore, but I can still love it. Right now I am blooming where I was planted nearly two months ago. Arad!
Last friday with the young single adults and other members that felt like coming. there was a great turnout for the Halloween party for the ysa. Lots of nonmembers, friends of the youth. At that same time, Assistants, President, and Sora Hill were here doing interviews, so I missed out in the party but interviews were great. I love the Assistants, Newton and Finch. And Sora and President Hill are great. So loving and kind and sincere people. It was great to visit with them for the little time we spent.
Then yesterday was a great Sunday. Pres. Banatean. Newly called Branch President conducted beautifully the meeting. I played the piano as the pianist was not there. But he did a great job. For the combined 5th sunday lesson Elder McFadden did really well. Talking about the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. I helped translate for him and we gave out oil to those who didn't have it. And also we consecrated and set apart the oil. Lots of members have the Priesthood and we wanted to encourage them to realize they have it. The blessings they can receive having it and to USE it! It was a great Sunday.
I hope all of you are doing well. Have a wonderful week with work, school, family, friends, and life's activities. This week was pretty uneventful here in Arad. but I am trying my hardest and I know I can be trying even harder. Heart. Might. Mind. Strength.
Work.
I was sick after my stroll in the rain, my sinuses are normal and vitals, normal and all back to good health. :)
Started up english this week and that went alright. Not the best turn out for medium class but beginner was well for the Sisters. And the advanced class is about the same for the McFaddens. Hopefully one of our referrels we contacted from the office will go somewhere. He is interested in English and reading from the Book of Mormon. haven't met with him, but he came to the first English class and I thought he enjoyed it. We will have to see how he is doing and try to set up this week. He has some potential and also one of his neighbors we were talking to for a while, she might go somewhere too.
This past week was frustrating in the fact that none of the 8 solid investigators that we have couldn't meet up. It's very frustrating. But that just means me and Elder Schanck, we have to keep working and find new investigators. We have good relationships with most of the members and need to try and seek out their friends if they will listen to our message. Lots of finding and contacting people. With winter coming in, we will be in the blocs a lot. And doing vilas still. And contacting people on the street. This part of the country is great, because people will stop on the street, there is simply no excuse that we do not have investigators to regularly meet with and talk to.
Last night we had a good visit with Paul. From Timisoara, lived in the states for a long time. And he came to church last week. I met with him a couple times in tTmisoara, now he lives here and we are working with him. Great older guy, just some issues he is still stuck on in the past. Great guy though. We'll see.
It was great to visit Timisoara for an exchange with Elder Nemrow, I loved our two exchanges we had in Constanta and he followed me over to the west side of the country. We visited with Ana, she is doing well. Irina, mom of a member that I used to work with. Said she'd come to church. Two younger girls, very religious, interested in English, and the Book of Mormon as well. And then visited Sora Gabi there, a member. We got a lot done and hoping Elder Nemrow will be able to meet with all those people too. It was a full busy day and I always love going back to that city. I know I don't serve there anymore, but I can still love it. Right now I am blooming where I was planted nearly two months ago. Arad!
Last friday with the young single adults and other members that felt like coming. there was a great turnout for the Halloween party for the ysa. Lots of nonmembers, friends of the youth. At that same time, Assistants, President, and Sora Hill were here doing interviews, so I missed out in the party but interviews were great. I love the Assistants, Newton and Finch. And Sora and President Hill are great. So loving and kind and sincere people. It was great to visit with them for the little time we spent.
Then yesterday was a great Sunday. Pres. Banatean. Newly called Branch President conducted beautifully the meeting. I played the piano as the pianist was not there. But he did a great job. For the combined 5th sunday lesson Elder McFadden did really well. Talking about the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. I helped translate for him and we gave out oil to those who didn't have it. And also we consecrated and set apart the oil. Lots of members have the Priesthood and we wanted to encourage them to realize they have it. The blessings they can receive having it and to USE it! It was a great Sunday.
I hope all of you are doing well. Have a wonderful week with work, school, family, friends, and life's activities. This week was pretty uneventful here in Arad. but I am trying my hardest and I know I can be trying even harder. Heart. Might. Mind. Strength.
Work.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
General Authority
Hello one and all. It felt weird this past week to not be changing companions. I am grateful to stay another 6 weeks with Elder Schanck. He's a great missionary and I can't believe this is kinda his last transfer! He'll have 3 more weeks after to make it home before Christmas! Like serving with an Elder Chase Anderson. Crazy. But things are all going well. Nothing too much new. It was a great week this past week. I love the branch mission leader. Edi. He is such a great member and has recently come back from inactivity. He has a great fire for missionary work and loves to go out with us. His girlfriend/soon to be wife in a month isn't for the church at all, and that really gets him down but I tell him not to worry about it and all things will work out. Don't even fret! But he is the best. We went and visited his grandma in the hospital last week and she was able to go home and we went over to her house and shared a great message all about the Savior and the Atonement. And after that visit with her (she is not a member) we went to visit another one of his friends, Roli, who he grew up with and they are really good friends. He has been taught in the past and is really at a low in his life. Edi was making similar choices to what Roli was doing and then found the church and joined it a little after his father. But Roli is a great young man and I could see the effects that life had had on him. It was a great visit full of the Spirit and one of my favorite lessons ever. We didn't force anything on him. I had met him before but basically just getting to know him and listen. I like Roli a lot. Yesterday Ghita came to church, a husband of a recent convert. He is kind of our investigator, but can simply never meet up due to work, but I see him getting baptized soon. We need some new investigators and working with the members - active and less-active I know we can get some more people for us to teach.
Studying the scriptures is so important. I am nearly all caught up with General Conference. Slowly watching all of the talks going over to the McFaddens or after e-mail. But I have really loved this past General Conference. It was super good and can't wait for the magazines to come! Reading the scriptures and messages will change your life if you just let it. The more we read the Bible the more we realize how much sense it makes - the need for the Book of Mormon. I love reading out of all the 4 standard works. They are truly inspired of God. I love my study time so much. Read Alma 33 this morning along with some some 2 Samuel. And rereading and studying Preach My Gospel again. Just make and find that desire to believe and it will grow. Faith. Plant the word in your hearts. It's the small and simple things of reading the scriptures and praying that really make the difference. Never forget to read.
Things are looking well for this transfer here in Arad. It will be one to remember forever.
This week we will be going down to Bucuresti for a conference with 2 other zones on Thursday to listen to Elder Jose A. Teixeira and coming back to Arad that evening. And then next Sunday will be District Conference with Pres. Hill (Arad, Timisoara, Oradea, and Deva) Looking forward to this week adn making it simply a great one! I love being a missionary. Thanks for all the letters family and friends. Mom and Dad. And Caleb with the beautiful drawings. Grant with loving notes. Thanks to the family in Texas. Marissa and Garrett in Utah. Shelby in California and Taryn in Texas. And to everyone else. Thanks for all the support, prayers, and love. I love you all so much.
Make it what you want it.
Studying the scriptures is so important. I am nearly all caught up with General Conference. Slowly watching all of the talks going over to the McFaddens or after e-mail. But I have really loved this past General Conference. It was super good and can't wait for the magazines to come! Reading the scriptures and messages will change your life if you just let it. The more we read the Bible the more we realize how much sense it makes - the need for the Book of Mormon. I love reading out of all the 4 standard works. They are truly inspired of God. I love my study time so much. Read Alma 33 this morning along with some some 2 Samuel. And rereading and studying Preach My Gospel again. Just make and find that desire to believe and it will grow. Faith. Plant the word in your hearts. It's the small and simple things of reading the scriptures and praying that really make the difference. Never forget to read.
Things are looking well for this transfer here in Arad. It will be one to remember forever.
This week we will be going down to Bucuresti for a conference with 2 other zones on Thursday to listen to Elder Jose A. Teixeira and coming back to Arad that evening. And then next Sunday will be District Conference with Pres. Hill (Arad, Timisoara, Oradea, and Deva) Looking forward to this week adn making it simply a great one! I love being a missionary. Thanks for all the letters family and friends. Mom and Dad. And Caleb with the beautiful drawings. Grant with loving notes. Thanks to the family in Texas. Marissa and Garrett in Utah. Shelby in California and Taryn in Texas. And to everyone else. Thanks for all the support, prayers, and love. I love you all so much.
Make it what you want it.
Monday, October 10, 2011
I Love the West.
It was a great week this past week here in Arad. I love service so much and love having the opportunities to serve others. I'll tell you more later on.
Finding out transfers today, I'll be staying with Elder Schanck for another transfer. This is his last full transfer and I hope to make it a good one for him. I have been so used to changing companions after 6 weeks but it'll be better to stay with him and get things going here in Arad. Working more with the members, feeding the sheep, and finding those lambs. So my district here in Arad. Me. Elder Schanck. Sora Puckett and Sora Hickman. Sora Puckett is in Bucuresti, having an interview, her last P-day, Chisinau, testimony meeting, and on a plane this wednesday. Sora Hickman is there with her, This Wednesday she will pick up a new missionary straight from the MTC and will be going senior and training. She is a great missionary and will do a great job. I think she is a little overwhelmed though with it. She'll be fine. A former companion, Elder Newton will be moving into the Office with Elder Finch.... For other missionaries, I really don't feel like telling you where everyone is. It would just be a name anyways to you. ;) But for new missionaries and leaving missionaries. Just two sisters are leaving, Puckett and Hansen. 2 of my favorites. And 5 sisters missionaries are coming in! Soon actually as I am typing this they will wake up and get on a plane leaving the MTC. No new elders coming in. Sad day. But none leaving, so we will just be staying the same.
And actually next week I will be going down to Bucuresti for a conference. 3 zones! Mine-Arad, Sibiu, and Chisnau will all we coming down to Buc and another Elder will be joining us if you have heard the name of Elder Teixeira, he will be talking to us all on the 20th. The 19th he'll be talking to the 3 other zones. Bacau, Buc East and West. So I am excited to meet him and learn more and more next week. There is a Zone Leader and District Leader training separate. Excited for that too. I was sad none of you accepted my invitation to a zone conference a couple weeks ago. That's ok none of you showed up. No biggie. Nbd.
Anyways. This past week was great as usual. Huge change in the weather. From Monday to Friday it was beautiful. A little too hot for my liking- 80 degrees. Morning and evening at about 65 or so. Perfect. Then Saturday morning huge drop! About a 30 degree drop. Craziness. This morning I think it was about 40 degrees and it'll warm up to about 45 or so. I bet it snows at least once here in October...we'll see. I was talking to the McFaddens and Sora Hill yesterday. There was a senior couple conference/vacation/retreat/visit/i dont know at Brasov. I do know though it was informative and things will be changing and using and taking more advantage of their experience in the branches they are serving. I was talking to them and my home of Brasov. It was snowing!!!!!!!!!!! And in Bucuresti Friday before the cold front, it was about 95 degrees or so one day, super hot! It's crazy! I love the fall time, too bad there wasn't much of it here in Arad, basically straight to winter!
Church yesterday was seriously one of my most favorites yet. I wanted to bear my testimony but there was no time. Members that hadn't gotten up there in so long went up and bore beautiful testimonies. I loved it so much and they were are all reasonable and not story-monies. They were powerful and great testimonies. I love all my members here in Arad. They are the best!
For last Monday, we helped Sora Elizabeta push some sand and get ready for a crew to come in to put in a pipe. We used shovels to move sand from a plot of dirt just to part of the driveway area. I was working up quite a sweat and me and Elder Schanck did that for about 2 hours or so with water breaks. Then the next day we came back, she had help from a few other people dig the hole. We just got it all ready for the hole to be dug. And then out front we moved a ton of rocks and dirt. Using shovels and putting it in a wheel barrel and moving it a little bit on the other side of the pile of rocks so the water pipe could come in. It was good service and we got to know some of her neighbors and another one of her daughters. She is a great member and her children have some good potential for future members. We'll see about that.
And again we volunteered at a shelter helping the lady there and her husband. Seems like every time we go there, something crazy is going down. Every day is another adventure over there. I always love going there and making new friends and seeing old ones that are regulars that come to the shelter. It'd be super hard to keep that place going. Lots of love and patience to run that place. I have a lot of respect for her.
It was a great week and especially it being a birthday of someone I hold very near and dear to my heart. My life would never be the same without.......him in my life. haha Elder Schanck. I know it's late and it's already past and I already told you so many times before. But Happy Birthday. October 8th!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah...hope you all have a great week. I plan on doing the same. :)
"Everything is okay in the end; if it's not okay, it's not the end."
Mă iubiţi.
Finding out transfers today, I'll be staying with Elder Schanck for another transfer. This is his last full transfer and I hope to make it a good one for him. I have been so used to changing companions after 6 weeks but it'll be better to stay with him and get things going here in Arad. Working more with the members, feeding the sheep, and finding those lambs. So my district here in Arad. Me. Elder Schanck. Sora Puckett and Sora Hickman. Sora Puckett is in Bucuresti, having an interview, her last P-day, Chisinau, testimony meeting, and on a plane this wednesday. Sora Hickman is there with her, This Wednesday she will pick up a new missionary straight from the MTC and will be going senior and training. She is a great missionary and will do a great job. I think she is a little overwhelmed though with it. She'll be fine. A former companion, Elder Newton will be moving into the Office with Elder Finch.... For other missionaries, I really don't feel like telling you where everyone is. It would just be a name anyways to you. ;) But for new missionaries and leaving missionaries. Just two sisters are leaving, Puckett and Hansen. 2 of my favorites. And 5 sisters missionaries are coming in! Soon actually as I am typing this they will wake up and get on a plane leaving the MTC. No new elders coming in. Sad day. But none leaving, so we will just be staying the same.
And actually next week I will be going down to Bucuresti for a conference. 3 zones! Mine-Arad, Sibiu, and Chisnau will all we coming down to Buc and another Elder will be joining us if you have heard the name of Elder Teixeira, he will be talking to us all on the 20th. The 19th he'll be talking to the 3 other zones. Bacau, Buc East and West. So I am excited to meet him and learn more and more next week. There is a Zone Leader and District Leader training separate. Excited for that too. I was sad none of you accepted my invitation to a zone conference a couple weeks ago. That's ok none of you showed up. No biggie. Nbd.
Anyways. This past week was great as usual. Huge change in the weather. From Monday to Friday it was beautiful. A little too hot for my liking- 80 degrees. Morning and evening at about 65 or so. Perfect. Then Saturday morning huge drop! About a 30 degree drop. Craziness. This morning I think it was about 40 degrees and it'll warm up to about 45 or so. I bet it snows at least once here in October...we'll see. I was talking to the McFaddens and Sora Hill yesterday. There was a senior couple conference/vacation/retreat/visit/i dont know at Brasov. I do know though it was informative and things will be changing and using and taking more advantage of their experience in the branches they are serving. I was talking to them and my home of Brasov. It was snowing!!!!!!!!!!! And in Bucuresti Friday before the cold front, it was about 95 degrees or so one day, super hot! It's crazy! I love the fall time, too bad there wasn't much of it here in Arad, basically straight to winter!
Church yesterday was seriously one of my most favorites yet. I wanted to bear my testimony but there was no time. Members that hadn't gotten up there in so long went up and bore beautiful testimonies. I loved it so much and they were are all reasonable and not story-monies. They were powerful and great testimonies. I love all my members here in Arad. They are the best!
For last Monday, we helped Sora Elizabeta push some sand and get ready for a crew to come in to put in a pipe. We used shovels to move sand from a plot of dirt just to part of the driveway area. I was working up quite a sweat and me and Elder Schanck did that for about 2 hours or so with water breaks. Then the next day we came back, she had help from a few other people dig the hole. We just got it all ready for the hole to be dug. And then out front we moved a ton of rocks and dirt. Using shovels and putting it in a wheel barrel and moving it a little bit on the other side of the pile of rocks so the water pipe could come in. It was good service and we got to know some of her neighbors and another one of her daughters. She is a great member and her children have some good potential for future members. We'll see about that.
And again we volunteered at a shelter helping the lady there and her husband. Seems like every time we go there, something crazy is going down. Every day is another adventure over there. I always love going there and making new friends and seeing old ones that are regulars that come to the shelter. It'd be super hard to keep that place going. Lots of love and patience to run that place. I have a lot of respect for her.
It was a great week and especially it being a birthday of someone I hold very near and dear to my heart. My life would never be the same without.......him in my life. haha Elder Schanck. I know it's late and it's already past and I already told you so many times before. But Happy Birthday. October 8th!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah...hope you all have a great week. I plan on doing the same. :)
"Everything is okay in the end; if it's not okay, it's not the end."
Mă iubiţi.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Fall General Conference
It was a great week this past week. Just a full breakfast and lunch of the good word of God. I love General Conference and was grateful I was able to view about half of it. Both morning sessions. And half of Priesthood session. Some great talks and great words were said. I think Robert D. Hales really hit me hard and so many ways I can relate his message for the people here in Romania. It's a great question of life about sufferings, challenges and concerns. I loved hearing the scriptures quotes such as Mosiah 2:17 Service. And Mosiah 3:19 about becoming as a child and putting off the natural man. A constant theme, as well as Proverbs 3:5-6. I recommend to all of you. To listen to the talk about the Book of Mormon in the Sunday Morning Conference. Tad R. Callister. Super good. Can't wait for them to be translated and put on the dvds to be sent to us here in Romania. So many people need to hear those messages that were given. We need to preach His gospel.
It was a great week for me here in Arad. Zone Conference went really well. Our presentation went well along with the other zone leaders. A bit from the Assistants and President and Sora Hill. It was a great week and lots of great words given to us from our leaders. Still just working hard and talking to people everyday, inviting to come closer to Jesus Christ. It has been a tough one here in Arad for my first transfer but I have built some good relationships with the members and trying to find the lambs and feed the sheep. All these members are recent converts. I would say 99 percent here in Romania. I love all of them and look up to all the members here. I try not to judge but just love them. It's hard when you know exactly how it needs to be run and want to just do it, but you can't. Just support and try and help them out the very best I can. And that is through service and teaching the word of God to them. I love this work so much and it's not about the numbers at all, but about God's children and loving every single one of them. Everyone is at a different stage and they all need our help. They simply don't understand. I love getting to know random people in parks, sitting with them on a bench, knocking on their door, and stopping people on the street. Some days are tough and I don't want to do it. But I just do it. There's no secret of making it easier-to talk to a random stranger-but to simply do it. I love this work and want everyone to be as happy as I am. Living the Gospel and following Christ. I love my job so much and I love the people of Arad.
Hope you all had a great week. I love you all. Be a good example.
It was a great week for me here in Arad. Zone Conference went really well. Our presentation went well along with the other zone leaders. A bit from the Assistants and President and Sora Hill. It was a great week and lots of great words given to us from our leaders. Still just working hard and talking to people everyday, inviting to come closer to Jesus Christ. It has been a tough one here in Arad for my first transfer but I have built some good relationships with the members and trying to find the lambs and feed the sheep. All these members are recent converts. I would say 99 percent here in Romania. I love all of them and look up to all the members here. I try not to judge but just love them. It's hard when you know exactly how it needs to be run and want to just do it, but you can't. Just support and try and help them out the very best I can. And that is through service and teaching the word of God to them. I love this work so much and it's not about the numbers at all, but about God's children and loving every single one of them. Everyone is at a different stage and they all need our help. They simply don't understand. I love getting to know random people in parks, sitting with them on a bench, knocking on their door, and stopping people on the street. Some days are tough and I don't want to do it. But I just do it. There's no secret of making it easier-to talk to a random stranger-but to simply do it. I love this work and want everyone to be as happy as I am. Living the Gospel and following Christ. I love my job so much and I love the people of Arad.
Hope you all had a great week. I love you all. Be a good example.
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