Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Well HELLO!!!!!!!!!!
Seems like I just talked to all of you. Marissa what the heck?! Will I get to talk to you ever in these next 21 months? We do have e-mail thankfully so I have no complaints whatsoever. But it would be nice to talk to you if possible. I love you.
So get this?! Last Monday it was pretty cold, probably about 25-30 or so. Warms up Tuesday. And by Christmas, only big piles of snow are left. It is just so beautiful outside. 50 degrees! What the?! I was so used to 20 layers on. I could have went swimming. Did you, Mom and Dad, use the jacuzzi?????? But now yesterday and today the 27th snowed and it was probably down to 30-35. Still didn't seem that cold. Some of the snow is sticking on the ground but not a whole lot. Not a heavy snow yet.
Past week from Monday...Travel to Cluj, Christmas Party and Devotional/Testimony Meeting, Special Training Tuesday, back to Brasov, Branch party and Nativity, Christmas, talking to FAMILY!!!! Caroling, Church. Atat=(done)
When there was snow, I loved seeing mom's or dad's pulling their kids on sleds. I saw a ton of them. Some kids were bigger than Caleb and still getting pulled. Then in Sacele (la tara/country) lots of kids would go down small hills and be hanging out having a fun time.
I love the hats people have! So many different kinds and I want to buy some for you. Seems like EVERYONE is wearing a hat!
Love the small corner shops of sweets or bread and baked goods. "fornetti" is very popular in Brasov, and I guess all around Romania? Saw a couple in Sibiu, Cluj, and Buc BEEN TO FOUR CITIES ALREADY!!!! SWEET!!! Also pretzals (covrigi) lots of those shops and "petru" - pretzal shop is always popular, two in centru here. Another restaurant we discovered last week. Found 2 here in brasov. "Panini" in Romanian that word means like a sub toasted sandwich and what I like to get there is like a shaorma. Chicken, but breaded (shaormas don't have the breaded aspect) with fries, cabbage, ketchup, mayo, and I think that's it. 2 dollars for a little bigger than a 6 inch sub and wider. I'll take a pic next time. I love panini (had it 3 times so far.)
Most people are very religious and there are so many kinds of people. Family means a lot to them. And on the buses. One bus from one end of the line to the other end we pass like 6 churches and just something I don't know. People always crossing themselves. Orthodox. 85% of Romania? Anybody want to confirm that for me? Other than them, I have met a decent amount of Catholics, Methodist, 7th Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses (younger guy and older lady knocked on our door last transfer), Baptists, and I think those are the main ones.
No worries, still hear the ambulance everyday. Usually 4 or 5 times! Shoot! Even on Christmas heard it maybe 3 times I think.
Bus tickets. People have got to be making so much money off them! For a month we buy a 80 abonament. We can ride all...i think 52 lines or so. One ticket costs 1.5 but they definitely add up. Definitely worth the money for the monthly abonament. In two days last transfer with E. Betteridge, we spent 20 lei each for tickets and used them all too! For the cities a little ways away from Brasov (SanPetru, Codlea (WHERE NATIVITIES ARE!!!), Sacele, Budila, Purcareni -those are where I have been) May cost 2 or 3 lei for a ticket one way. I love having a really good bus system. Heard other cities don't have the best or not one at all. Livin' it up here in Brasov while I am here. I love it here so much.
Ask me anything else you want to know? About culture, people, city life, I don't know what to say. Hope you benefit and enjoy my insights. Hard to describe a place in words and a few pictures. You have to experience it yourself. And in 21 months you will have such an experienced guide, yours truly. If interested, just let me know, family and friends. I invite all. hehe. Anyways....
First. I would like to share my studies. Also, a question I have been thinking about since high school. 6 years now. BLOWS MY MIND. First where I am at in everything. BOM read English and Romanian same chapter. ON 2 Nephi 30. Really awesome chapters - 28 and 29. Shoot! A bible a bible. Hear that every stinkin' day. Patience! In Jesus the Christ. Chapter 35...of 42! Read that quick! I love that book. Chapter a day. I learn so much. CONF Ensign Nov 2010. Just reading in order. Just finished sweet talks from Elder Nelson and Elder Kearon from Priesthood Session. I love reading a talk or two a day from there. So much to learn. Follow the Prophet!
So a question to all. Chapter I read today in Jesus the Christ. About the Trial of Christ. Caiphus. Aphias? Herod and Pilate. Yeah and then about Judas. So...I don't really even know how to put my question in words...but I'll try. Ok? Isaiah. Cool guy, complex. Easy to understand usually. He "prophesied" of Christ and the death of Him and other things. Other prophets...they "prophesied of Christ" and said what was going to happen. Then Christ comes to the Earth...towards the end of His life, His time did not come yet, he has not fulfilled the prophecies. And he himself says somewhere, I think about him doing what was prophesied. And I think about wait?! What does prophesy mean? We have our agency. I know that. But do people see time in a totally different sense, where it already happens? It was always going to happen. And about Judas, he was ALWAYS? going to betray Christ. But then it says it had better that he would never have been born? WHAT?! Didn't and wasn't someone always going to betray Christ? It was always going to happen, but it would have been better if they weren't born? Confuzzled! I'll keep thinking about it. Don't think I worded my thoughts very well. Tell me yours. Very interesting. Also in the Book of Mormon, talks of Joseph Smith restoring the church...just about agency, prophesy, future, choices.
Anyways last Monday, shoot woke up at 420. Train left at 540 to Cluj. Stinkin' 6 hours long! Took pictures. Chatted. Had a apple. Rubik's cube. Read some conference talks. We were the last ones to get to the Cluj church villa out of our CLUJ ZONE and ARAD ZONE. Cities: Brasov, Cluj, Sibiu, and in Arad: Arad, Oradea, Timisoara, and Deva. I think maybe 40 almost missionaries. Cool, we saw the Howell's senior couple from England who I met in the MTC with us, they are serving in Arad. Awesome couple, really funny. From MTC group saw Elders Pettit, Mikolyski, and Durand. And from younger District saw Elders Tefft, Miner, Hyatt, and Myers. So awesome to see everyone. Party was really fun. Had Christmas trivia answering question game. We did pretty bad. Groups of 4. Lost. :( Had pizza and for dinner potatoes and chicken. Had a tie exchange, I bought a 22 lei one. Pretty nice - Elder Howells actually got it! And we played telephone charades which is now one of my favorite games. Then to close the evening we had a Devotional where Pres. and Sora Lundberg shared thoughts about "miracles" and shared examples and experiences from this year. 2 Elders in January that passed away. 128 baptisms this year, 40 better than last year with 20 less missionaries! Then awesome testimony meeting from Elders and Soras in the zone. Wish I bore mine. Then we all left. Most of us went to Hotel Paradis. Really nice just for the night.
Tuesday. Slept well and had delicious continental buffet breakfast. Special Training from the Assistants and President went really well. Talked about "Revelation through Church Attendance" and "Teach People, Not Lessons" Each one is so important and I can work on both of those so much! Reminded me of our phone call Dad and Taryn. Get people to come to church. Work with the member to include people. Love them and make friends. Awesome analogy. We are like a forest of Sequoias! We are held together by our roots, and we have to plant our investigators preferably in the middle of the forest and not on the outskirts where the wind, rains, and snows will beat upon them. After lunch, sandwiches and pretzals. Before eating lunch went on an adventure with Elder Farr, district ahead of me, went and got some money from an ATM, met awesome guy, got his number and gave it to the cluj elders. Then went back to the church villa, hung out a little bit. cleaned up a bit then Got to the gara bus left at 4. Got home at 10 and that was our day. Felt good to be back in Brasov. :)
Wednesday Did internet in the morning, and shopping. Went to panini for lunch. Had good lesson with Stefan - referrel from the Sisters. Leaving town for a couple weeks but looking forward to working with him more. Gave number to Alexandria Elders (where he will be) and hopefully he will go to church there.
Thursday. District Meeting went well. Sandwichs with Sisters at church, helped Sora Miron with setting up tables and talked about what we would do as shepherds for the nativity scen the next day FRIDAY! Left and tried to visit some investigators but no one was home. Knocked a couple blocks. Got some potentials to go back to for sure! Love finding really interested people in the blocks and I just hope they aren't faking it.
Friday. Christmas EVE! Contacting and handing out English cards. Class starts the 11th! And met a cool guy, Cristian, he wants to put our testimony and invitation of what we are doing in Romania. He wants to put our words up on the internet on his website. Sounded really sincere and said to contact him after the holidays. Then we did weekly planning and went to the church after that for Christmas party. Went really well. Talked about where we are going and what we were doing We were shepherds with Marian and Catalina. Wise men- sisters walker and mudge and Emma Miron. Mary-Teo. Joseph-Levi. Angel-Alecu Miron. Went really well. Good food, sarmale and made brownies that morning which we ate too. Actually The Ratbasan family brought 2 friends and we had a first lesson with them. Went really well. Said they were coming to church but didn't. Need their info to contact them!
Saturday. A good Christmas! :) I love Christmas. Laid back day. Had nice lunch. Potato casserole with beef and sauce. Went to Centru and handed out candy canes, wore our Santa hats. Handed out Christmas Holiday cards, invitations to church. Met member visiting Ionut Banu, who is from Brasov, served his mission in Romania! and now lives in England. Really cool member. Too bad he doesn't live here anymore! Then went to the church, sang carols, we were going to go visit members and less actives but we never did. We left Sisters, Mirons, Sora Corina, and Levi, and Teo at the church. Then got home and got to talk to MY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY! I was getting nervous when you didn't call at first, but I had faith and no doubts in my Dad in getting the number to work. It was sweet to hear that phone ring. :) The time went by so fast! I love you Dad, Mom, Shelby Josh and Aubrey, Garrett Kristi Brodie Elsie and Millie, Marissa, Grant, Caleb, and Taryn.
Sunday. Much less stressful than last week. WHEW! Still messed up playing the songs but at least I chose them and got to practice before. Sora Alenu again played the last song. It went really well. Elder Bateman gave a talk. And talk by Sora Coca and Fratele Croitoru. Really great. Sunday School. Good lesson about Developing Talents. Then good Priesthood lesson about Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Best turnout, probably because of Christmas. Maybe 40 to 50 people at Sacrament. And had an American family, I didn't get their names from Buc visiting, not sure from where. Rest of out Sunday went well. Went to Fratele Bogdonel and he had an investigator there Nina, good lesson and discussion. Served us Sarmale. (stuffed cabbage rolls) And then went to Daniel for a visit. Don't think we'll keep meeting up with him, basically told he is never coming to church after only ONE time, he has some crazy thoughts about communism and older generation of Romanians. :( and he is not reading or praying. And then we had an interesting lesson with Chirica, but I don't think she understood us very well and vice versa. It was a good Sunday though. 3 good lessons!
Been a good day so far today and have a couple less actives we want to visit tonight. It's going to be an awesome week. I know it! Happy New Year everyone! Set new goals and be better than 2010. Be better every day of your life. I love you all. I love my message. I love Romania and its people.
Love,
Elder Schroedter
Seems like I just talked to all of you. Marissa what the heck?! Will I get to talk to you ever in these next 21 months? We do have e-mail thankfully so I have no complaints whatsoever. But it would be nice to talk to you if possible. I love you.
So get this?! Last Monday it was pretty cold, probably about 25-30 or so. Warms up Tuesday. And by Christmas, only big piles of snow are left. It is just so beautiful outside. 50 degrees! What the?! I was so used to 20 layers on. I could have went swimming. Did you, Mom and Dad, use the jacuzzi?????? But now yesterday and today the 27th snowed and it was probably down to 30-35. Still didn't seem that cold. Some of the snow is sticking on the ground but not a whole lot. Not a heavy snow yet.
Past week from Monday...Travel to Cluj, Christmas Party and Devotional/Testimony Meeting, Special Training Tuesday, back to Brasov, Branch party and Nativity, Christmas, talking to FAMILY!!!! Caroling, Church. Atat=(done)
When there was snow, I loved seeing mom's or dad's pulling their kids on sleds. I saw a ton of them. Some kids were bigger than Caleb and still getting pulled. Then in Sacele (la tara/country) lots of kids would go down small hills and be hanging out having a fun time.
I love the hats people have! So many different kinds and I want to buy some for you. Seems like EVERYONE is wearing a hat!
Love the small corner shops of sweets or bread and baked goods. "fornetti" is very popular in Brasov, and I guess all around Romania? Saw a couple in Sibiu, Cluj, and Buc BEEN TO FOUR CITIES ALREADY!!!! SWEET!!! Also pretzals (covrigi) lots of those shops and "petru" - pretzal shop is always popular, two in centru here. Another restaurant we discovered last week. Found 2 here in brasov. "Panini" in Romanian that word means like a sub toasted sandwich and what I like to get there is like a shaorma. Chicken, but breaded (shaormas don't have the breaded aspect) with fries, cabbage, ketchup, mayo, and I think that's it. 2 dollars for a little bigger than a 6 inch sub and wider. I'll take a pic next time. I love panini (had it 3 times so far.)
Most people are very religious and there are so many kinds of people. Family means a lot to them. And on the buses. One bus from one end of the line to the other end we pass like 6 churches and just something I don't know. People always crossing themselves. Orthodox. 85% of Romania? Anybody want to confirm that for me? Other than them, I have met a decent amount of Catholics, Methodist, 7th Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses (younger guy and older lady knocked on our door last transfer), Baptists, and I think those are the main ones.
No worries, still hear the ambulance everyday. Usually 4 or 5 times! Shoot! Even on Christmas heard it maybe 3 times I think.
Bus tickets. People have got to be making so much money off them! For a month we buy a 80 abonament. We can ride all...i think 52 lines or so. One ticket costs 1.5 but they definitely add up. Definitely worth the money for the monthly abonament. In two days last transfer with E. Betteridge, we spent 20 lei each for tickets and used them all too! For the cities a little ways away from Brasov (SanPetru, Codlea (WHERE NATIVITIES ARE!!!), Sacele, Budila, Purcareni -those are where I have been) May cost 2 or 3 lei for a ticket one way. I love having a really good bus system. Heard other cities don't have the best or not one at all. Livin' it up here in Brasov while I am here. I love it here so much.
Ask me anything else you want to know? About culture, people, city life, I don't know what to say. Hope you benefit and enjoy my insights. Hard to describe a place in words and a few pictures. You have to experience it yourself. And in 21 months you will have such an experienced guide, yours truly. If interested, just let me know, family and friends. I invite all. hehe. Anyways....
First. I would like to share my studies. Also, a question I have been thinking about since high school. 6 years now. BLOWS MY MIND. First where I am at in everything. BOM read English and Romanian same chapter. ON 2 Nephi 30. Really awesome chapters - 28 and 29. Shoot! A bible a bible. Hear that every stinkin' day. Patience! In Jesus the Christ. Chapter 35...of 42! Read that quick! I love that book. Chapter a day. I learn so much. CONF Ensign Nov 2010. Just reading in order. Just finished sweet talks from Elder Nelson and Elder Kearon from Priesthood Session. I love reading a talk or two a day from there. So much to learn. Follow the Prophet!
So a question to all. Chapter I read today in Jesus the Christ. About the Trial of Christ. Caiphus. Aphias? Herod and Pilate. Yeah and then about Judas. So...I don't really even know how to put my question in words...but I'll try. Ok? Isaiah. Cool guy, complex. Easy to understand usually. He "prophesied" of Christ and the death of Him and other things. Other prophets...they "prophesied of Christ" and said what was going to happen. Then Christ comes to the Earth...towards the end of His life, His time did not come yet, he has not fulfilled the prophecies. And he himself says somewhere, I think about him doing what was prophesied. And I think about wait?! What does prophesy mean? We have our agency. I know that. But do people see time in a totally different sense, where it already happens? It was always going to happen. And about Judas, he was ALWAYS? going to betray Christ. But then it says it had better that he would never have been born? WHAT?! Didn't and wasn't someone always going to betray Christ? It was always going to happen, but it would have been better if they weren't born? Confuzzled! I'll keep thinking about it. Don't think I worded my thoughts very well. Tell me yours. Very interesting. Also in the Book of Mormon, talks of Joseph Smith restoring the church...just about agency, prophesy, future, choices.
Anyways last Monday, shoot woke up at 420. Train left at 540 to Cluj. Stinkin' 6 hours long! Took pictures. Chatted. Had a apple. Rubik's cube. Read some conference talks. We were the last ones to get to the Cluj church villa out of our CLUJ ZONE and ARAD ZONE. Cities: Brasov, Cluj, Sibiu, and in Arad: Arad, Oradea, Timisoara, and Deva. I think maybe 40 almost missionaries. Cool, we saw the Howell's senior couple from England who I met in the MTC with us, they are serving in Arad. Awesome couple, really funny. From MTC group saw Elders Pettit, Mikolyski, and Durand. And from younger District saw Elders Tefft, Miner, Hyatt, and Myers. So awesome to see everyone. Party was really fun. Had Christmas trivia answering question game. We did pretty bad. Groups of 4. Lost. :( Had pizza and for dinner potatoes and chicken. Had a tie exchange, I bought a 22 lei one. Pretty nice - Elder Howells actually got it! And we played telephone charades which is now one of my favorite games. Then to close the evening we had a Devotional where Pres. and Sora Lundberg shared thoughts about "miracles" and shared examples and experiences from this year. 2 Elders in January that passed away. 128 baptisms this year, 40 better than last year with 20 less missionaries! Then awesome testimony meeting from Elders and Soras in the zone. Wish I bore mine. Then we all left. Most of us went to Hotel Paradis. Really nice just for the night.
Tuesday. Slept well and had delicious continental buffet breakfast. Special Training from the Assistants and President went really well. Talked about "Revelation through Church Attendance" and "Teach People, Not Lessons" Each one is so important and I can work on both of those so much! Reminded me of our phone call Dad and Taryn. Get people to come to church. Work with the member to include people. Love them and make friends. Awesome analogy. We are like a forest of Sequoias! We are held together by our roots, and we have to plant our investigators preferably in the middle of the forest and not on the outskirts where the wind, rains, and snows will beat upon them. After lunch, sandwiches and pretzals. Before eating lunch went on an adventure with Elder Farr, district ahead of me, went and got some money from an ATM, met awesome guy, got his number and gave it to the cluj elders. Then went back to the church villa, hung out a little bit. cleaned up a bit then Got to the gara bus left at 4. Got home at 10 and that was our day. Felt good to be back in Brasov. :)
Wednesday Did internet in the morning, and shopping. Went to panini for lunch. Had good lesson with Stefan - referrel from the Sisters. Leaving town for a couple weeks but looking forward to working with him more. Gave number to Alexandria Elders (where he will be) and hopefully he will go to church there.
Thursday. District Meeting went well. Sandwichs with Sisters at church, helped Sora Miron with setting up tables and talked about what we would do as shepherds for the nativity scen the next day FRIDAY! Left and tried to visit some investigators but no one was home. Knocked a couple blocks. Got some potentials to go back to for sure! Love finding really interested people in the blocks and I just hope they aren't faking it.
Friday. Christmas EVE! Contacting and handing out English cards. Class starts the 11th! And met a cool guy, Cristian, he wants to put our testimony and invitation of what we are doing in Romania. He wants to put our words up on the internet on his website. Sounded really sincere and said to contact him after the holidays. Then we did weekly planning and went to the church after that for Christmas party. Went really well. Talked about where we are going and what we were doing We were shepherds with Marian and Catalina. Wise men- sisters walker and mudge and Emma Miron. Mary-Teo. Joseph-Levi. Angel-Alecu Miron. Went really well. Good food, sarmale and made brownies that morning which we ate too. Actually The Ratbasan family brought 2 friends and we had a first lesson with them. Went really well. Said they were coming to church but didn't. Need their info to contact them!
Saturday. A good Christmas! :) I love Christmas. Laid back day. Had nice lunch. Potato casserole with beef and sauce. Went to Centru and handed out candy canes, wore our Santa hats. Handed out Christmas Holiday cards, invitations to church. Met member visiting Ionut Banu, who is from Brasov, served his mission in Romania! and now lives in England. Really cool member. Too bad he doesn't live here anymore! Then went to the church, sang carols, we were going to go visit members and less actives but we never did. We left Sisters, Mirons, Sora Corina, and Levi, and Teo at the church. Then got home and got to talk to MY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY! I was getting nervous when you didn't call at first, but I had faith and no doubts in my Dad in getting the number to work. It was sweet to hear that phone ring. :) The time went by so fast! I love you Dad, Mom, Shelby Josh and Aubrey, Garrett Kristi Brodie Elsie and Millie, Marissa, Grant, Caleb, and Taryn.
Sunday. Much less stressful than last week. WHEW! Still messed up playing the songs but at least I chose them and got to practice before. Sora Alenu again played the last song. It went really well. Elder Bateman gave a talk. And talk by Sora Coca and Fratele Croitoru. Really great. Sunday School. Good lesson about Developing Talents. Then good Priesthood lesson about Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Best turnout, probably because of Christmas. Maybe 40 to 50 people at Sacrament. And had an American family, I didn't get their names from Buc visiting, not sure from where. Rest of out Sunday went well. Went to Fratele Bogdonel and he had an investigator there Nina, good lesson and discussion. Served us Sarmale. (stuffed cabbage rolls) And then went to Daniel for a visit. Don't think we'll keep meeting up with him, basically told he is never coming to church after only ONE time, he has some crazy thoughts about communism and older generation of Romanians. :( and he is not reading or praying. And then we had an interesting lesson with Chirica, but I don't think she understood us very well and vice versa. It was a good Sunday though. 3 good lessons!
Been a good day so far today and have a couple less actives we want to visit tonight. It's going to be an awesome week. I know it! Happy New Year everyone! Set new goals and be better than 2010. Be better every day of your life. I love you all. I love my message. I love Romania and its people.
Love,
Elder Schroedter
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
My First Date in Romania - Best of my Life!!
Hello Everyone,
I decided every week I gotta come up with a sweet subject for the weekly e-mail! I thought you would all like this one. And no worries mate! I keep them rules! 100% obedience. The date is referring to a BAPTISM DATE! The lady I was telling you about, Doamna Nina Ciobanu. I am so so so so excited for her. So we asked her to get baptized Christmas. She wanted her birthday January 11th. Then next day she called, and totally changed her mind and was so so set on Christmas. But she had to come to church twice so we said the 26th. Then we called her this past week and is back to the 11th because she is going out of town to "la tara" = countryside basically. I am so excited for her and it was such a good lesson we had with her.
So last week was a good one. Transfer week. New Elders and Sora coming in. So quick story. Basically, coolest Elder in the group under me that just came into the country. Elder Tefft...man. Lucky guy! He is called to Timisoara. And his 2nd day, baptizes a lady which is the only baptism for the mission last week. So crazy and awesome at the same time. Great story! Not my 2nd day but hopefully this, my 2nd transfer I will get a baptism with Doamna Ciobanu. Such a nice older lady and has had a tough life. Think I may have talked about it last e-mail. Dad left. Mom died when she was 6 months old. Brother was 3 at the time basically raised each other. Whoa mama. Some such sad and some crazy stories growing up in Romania.
I decided every week I gotta come up with a sweet subject for the weekly e-mail! I thought you would all like this one. And no worries mate! I keep them rules! 100% obedience. The date is referring to a BAPTISM DATE! The lady I was telling you about, Doamna Nina Ciobanu. I am so so so so excited for her. So we asked her to get baptized Christmas. She wanted her birthday January 11th. Then next day she called, and totally changed her mind and was so so set on Christmas. But she had to come to church twice so we said the 26th. Then we called her this past week and is back to the 11th because she is going out of town to "la tara" = countryside basically. I am so excited for her and it was such a good lesson we had with her.
So last week was a good one. Transfer week. New Elders and Sora coming in. So quick story. Basically, coolest Elder in the group under me that just came into the country. Elder Tefft...man. Lucky guy! He is called to Timisoara. And his 2nd day, baptizes a lady which is the only baptism for the mission last week. So crazy and awesome at the same time. Great story! Not my 2nd day but hopefully this, my 2nd transfer I will get a baptism with Doamna Ciobanu. Such a nice older lady and has had a tough life. Think I may have talked about it last e-mail. Dad left. Mom died when she was 6 months old. Brother was 3 at the time basically raised each other. Whoa mama. Some such sad and some crazy stories growing up in Romania.
Something awesome I found out about all the missionaries out in Romania and Moldova....Maybe not as much internationalism as Temple Square but a little. Sora Wilson from Australia. Sora Gogu from Moldova. Elder Bigu from Romania. My companion Elder Bateman, born in Romania but adopted young, grew up in Utah. Still....born in Romania. Elder Vekony from Hungary, speaks Hungarian, Russian, and now English and Romanian. Awesome missionary and missionaries. I love my mission so much.
Going through my week. Monday. Wanted to go out to Codlea to get Nativity sets for Elder Betteridge because he found out he was getting transferred but he found out his debit card expired. We never went out and did that. Instead just walked around Centru some. Then went to the church and played some ping pong, and even with a bad paddle I was able to beat him! He won I think the 4 other times. Then shopping and had a lesson with Daniel, the tourist guy, always playing counter-strike, anti-communist. He isn't reading, won't come back to church and I think we are going to drop him soon. :( Wish he wouldn't judge so quick about the church and some of the branch leaders. dar, asa este. (but, that's how it is)
Tuesday was a good day. Had a good lesson with Alexandru. We'll have to meet up with him after the holidays. He is heading out to UAE for some time. Son and Wife out there. Then really good, sad last lesson with Elder Betteridge at Doamna Ciobanu's. She cried as he left. And it was sad to see the next lesson....Friday with Elder Bateman and Marius she actually set a date and not with the missionary she was most attached with E. Betteridge. I'll miss him too. Finished up night with bloc knocking and got a couple potentials to return to.
Wednesday. Packed day for E. Betteridge's last one. Had one with Daniel...taught Gospel. He says he thinks the BOM is true and Joseph Smith had and did all he said he did, but he won't read nor pray about it. Nor come to church anymore. :( Then we went out to Sacele to try and see Dan and Mircea. Dan Hrica wasn't there. :( but Mircea was and we stayed there forever. Almost fell asleep. Such a warm room we were in and I didn't talk for a while because we also brought Marius adn he and Elder Betteridge talked a ton. Then in the evening, had good lesson with George, young guy, not going to go to BYU but just medical school somewhere in Romania. I really like him and he's way nice. Mom is kinda against it and Orthodox. Taught good Plan of Salvation lesson. Then last lesson with recent convert with Ivan. Good lesson about obedience, word of wisdom, and tithing. He is a really solid member and has the girl friend who got baptized the same day as he earlier this year.
Thursday up at 4:30 off to Bucuresti got there around 9:30. Just stood at the gara all day, got to know a couple Elders, never was able to see the new district they probably got to the gara really soon after we left at 4:00 pm back to Brasov arriving at 8:00. It was a good day though. Had Mcdonalds muffin and KFC chicken strips. Little jealous of Elder Ransom who is going to Orhei, Moldova. I want to serve there so bad. And it was so great to see Elder's from MTC District, all except Elder Lee who stayed in Bacau because his trainer wasn't getting transferred either. No lessons but a necessary day to change cities and companions. Coming back to Brasov was tough. Ton of bags and materials and packages from MOM and DAD yay!!!!!!!!! Got a ton of letters felt really bad. Fairwells, Family, Family, Marissa, Pres. Sosa. I love letters and reading them. Replying is the hard part. But I promise I will reply to all of you.
Friday good day and alright lesson with Daniel. Still not reading. and AWESOME!!! lessson with Doamna Ciobanu where she picked a date! YES!!!!!!!!!!!! Also every Friday is Weekly Planning and usually Thursdays is District Meeting, didn't have one this week.
Saturday. Lesson again with Nina Ciobanu. Set up baptismal calendar which we will now have to change. Needs to endure to the end and has lots of time for Satan to tempt her. :\ We all need to endure to the end in our lives. Saturday, or Friday our bathroom sink broke, one of the pipes and Saturday for a while felt like such a waste, Dan our proprieter came and fixed it with I think maybe his Dad or collegue. Then that night bloc knocking had a good lesson we found. Nicu in the blocks!
Sunday: Whew! Quite a stressed morning. Went with Ciobanu doamna and her brother to church. Her brother limps and walks super slow. Missed the bus and we were on other side of town where church is. I wanted to get to church extra early to practice piano and pick out hymns. uh....not the case. Got there 5 minutes before 10. Good though to go with the Ciobanu's. Church went well. Comprehension coming more and more each day. Studying hard. Rest of Sunday went well though. I played 3 of the 4 songs in the meeting and let's just say I could have done way way better. Oh well. I am trying and at least I can play. I think I might be the best we got....Good find in the blocks, Bogdon, younger guy and we need to follow up on him!
Studies. Jesus the Christ Chapter 32. And BOM and CLM, caught up to each other! 2 Nephi 26. yay. Started Ensign this week conference October talks - almost on Priesthood Session. Read a lot on the train to Cluj and next week I'll tell you more about the party and training we had. Good party and meeting. The CLUJ zone and ARAD. Saw Elder Mikolyski, Durand, and Pettit and new district Elder Tefft, Myers, Miner, and Hyatt. Good time.
I love you all so much. Thank you for your prayers and support. Through any and every way. Looking forward to talking to each and every one of you this Christmas Day. Christ lives. I know that without a doubt in my mind. We leave it out in the 1st Lesson but I love how Satan tried to stop Joseph Smith from reforming this church. He tried and failed. Why the heck would he try and stop something that isn't true and good?! I know this gospel is true and it truly has blessed my life. I love you all. I love my friends and family back home. I love missionary work. Despite it being tough. It is so rewarding.
Love,
Elder Schroedter
Going through my week. Monday. Wanted to go out to Codlea to get Nativity sets for Elder Betteridge because he found out he was getting transferred but he found out his debit card expired. We never went out and did that. Instead just walked around Centru some. Then went to the church and played some ping pong, and even with a bad paddle I was able to beat him! He won I think the 4 other times. Then shopping and had a lesson with Daniel, the tourist guy, always playing counter-strike, anti-communist. He isn't reading, won't come back to church and I think we are going to drop him soon. :( Wish he wouldn't judge so quick about the church and some of the branch leaders. dar, asa este. (but, that's how it is)
Tuesday was a good day. Had a good lesson with Alexandru. We'll have to meet up with him after the holidays. He is heading out to UAE for some time. Son and Wife out there. Then really good, sad last lesson with Elder Betteridge at Doamna Ciobanu's. She cried as he left. And it was sad to see the next lesson....Friday with Elder Bateman and Marius she actually set a date and not with the missionary she was most attached with E. Betteridge. I'll miss him too. Finished up night with bloc knocking and got a couple potentials to return to.
Wednesday. Packed day for E. Betteridge's last one. Had one with Daniel...taught Gospel. He says he thinks the BOM is true and Joseph Smith had and did all he said he did, but he won't read nor pray about it. Nor come to church anymore. :( Then we went out to Sacele to try and see Dan and Mircea. Dan Hrica wasn't there. :( but Mircea was and we stayed there forever. Almost fell asleep. Such a warm room we were in and I didn't talk for a while because we also brought Marius adn he and Elder Betteridge talked a ton. Then in the evening, had good lesson with George, young guy, not going to go to BYU but just medical school somewhere in Romania. I really like him and he's way nice. Mom is kinda against it and Orthodox. Taught good Plan of Salvation lesson. Then last lesson with recent convert with Ivan. Good lesson about obedience, word of wisdom, and tithing. He is a really solid member and has the girl friend who got baptized the same day as he earlier this year.
Thursday up at 4:30 off to Bucuresti got there around 9:30. Just stood at the gara all day, got to know a couple Elders, never was able to see the new district they probably got to the gara really soon after we left at 4:00 pm back to Brasov arriving at 8:00. It was a good day though. Had Mcdonalds muffin and KFC chicken strips. Little jealous of Elder Ransom who is going to Orhei, Moldova. I want to serve there so bad. And it was so great to see Elder's from MTC District, all except Elder Lee who stayed in Bacau because his trainer wasn't getting transferred either. No lessons but a necessary day to change cities and companions. Coming back to Brasov was tough. Ton of bags and materials and packages from MOM and DAD yay!!!!!!!!! Got a ton of letters felt really bad. Fairwells, Family, Family, Marissa, Pres. Sosa. I love letters and reading them. Replying is the hard part. But I promise I will reply to all of you.
Friday good day and alright lesson with Daniel. Still not reading. and AWESOME!!! lessson with Doamna Ciobanu where she picked a date! YES!!!!!!!!!!!! Also every Friday is Weekly Planning and usually Thursdays is District Meeting, didn't have one this week.
Saturday. Lesson again with Nina Ciobanu. Set up baptismal calendar which we will now have to change. Needs to endure to the end and has lots of time for Satan to tempt her. :\ We all need to endure to the end in our lives. Saturday, or Friday our bathroom sink broke, one of the pipes and Saturday for a while felt like such a waste, Dan our proprieter came and fixed it with I think maybe his Dad or collegue. Then that night bloc knocking had a good lesson we found. Nicu in the blocks!
Sunday: Whew! Quite a stressed morning. Went with Ciobanu doamna and her brother to church. Her brother limps and walks super slow. Missed the bus and we were on other side of town where church is. I wanted to get to church extra early to practice piano and pick out hymns. uh....not the case. Got there 5 minutes before 10. Good though to go with the Ciobanu's. Church went well. Comprehension coming more and more each day. Studying hard. Rest of Sunday went well though. I played 3 of the 4 songs in the meeting and let's just say I could have done way way better. Oh well. I am trying and at least I can play. I think I might be the best we got....Good find in the blocks, Bogdon, younger guy and we need to follow up on him!
Studies. Jesus the Christ Chapter 32. And BOM and CLM, caught up to each other! 2 Nephi 26. yay. Started Ensign this week conference October talks - almost on Priesthood Session. Read a lot on the train to Cluj and next week I'll tell you more about the party and training we had. Good party and meeting. The CLUJ zone and ARAD. Saw Elder Mikolyski, Durand, and Pettit and new district Elder Tefft, Myers, Miner, and Hyatt. Good time.
I love you all so much. Thank you for your prayers and support. Through any and every way. Looking forward to talking to each and every one of you this Christmas Day. Christ lives. I know that without a doubt in my mind. We leave it out in the 1st Lesson but I love how Satan tried to stop Joseph Smith from reforming this church. He tried and failed. Why the heck would he try and stop something that isn't true and good?! I know this gospel is true and it truly has blessed my life. I love you all. I love my friends and family back home. I love missionary work. Despite it being tough. It is so rewarding.
Love,
Elder Schroedter
Monday, December 6, 2010
It's beginning to look a LOT like CHRISTMAS!!
Hello Everyone, Thanks for all the e-mails and what not.
This week was very busy and we had a lot of success and lessons. Couple progressing and I think really close to baptism but they just won't set a date!
Overall a wonderful week, had a good time, not so much after last e-mail last week, rained so much and felt bad I rushed through the end of my week....eh sorry. I am always so rushed and busy day to day to day. I love it and this work so much. And uh....guess what?! It snowed hard core Saturday! Walked for about 15 minutes in it home from an appointment. Not a whole lot of fun. But no worries! Got sweet ear muffs. Plenty of layers. I am too too warm. Not a problem, and today I am trying out the thermal garments. They are way warm! Love it. Today got plans to go to Poiana, basically way up higher and colder and should be filled with snow up there. I am excited. I'll send some pics next week for sure. :)
Brief rundown for you Marissa this week...Assistants came into town Monday and had a really good lesson with old investigator Elder Lyon had last year when he was in Brasov. He is assistant with Elder Boynton...leaving in 3 weeks!!!!!!!! for home! crazy! Lesson went well with Tifan family, maybe something there...tuesday: really good lesson with virginia, less active nuti family, and at night 2nd lesson with ciobano. English went really well and was fun. Assistants left to Bacau. Wednesday: Virginia lesson again with her neighbor, not really sure if she wants to change, said she'll read it though! Then block knocking a ton the rest of the day. Thursday: From CLUJ Elder Nemrow and Johnson came for exchanges again! 2 in one week. District Meeting was really good, get people into Book of Mormon! Went out to Codlea for a lesson with less active Andrei, went really well, I think he really wants to come back, just money and job, then met really 2 cool families by Ciobano, area called Tractorul, Vasile and family, and Mioara, so many new names this week! Friday: E. Johnson and Nemrow left back, awesome day, all our lessons worked out, played ping pong with George, investigator, may go to BYU! other lessons: Ionut, Ciobano again, George, and Buium-less active, really awesome guy. Weekly planning. Saturday: English went well, couple lessons didn't work out. 2nd lesson with cool husband and daughter, Cipri, really feel good about him. Then lessons again with Vasile's sister Mihaila and neighbor Mioara. Sunday: really tried to talk more to the members and get them involved, they really are our greatest resource somtimes, bring them to lessons and have them share their testimony. Especially good because they speak perfectly and are native! good member lesson with Herghelegiu Family and Found Dumitru in the blocs.
And now today! it's going to be a good day, got a lesson planned for Cipri and it's going to work out! And a lesson with Branch President, Pres. Baies. Possibly Ciobano too!
SO the snow this week! Crazy! Snowed for almost two days straight, maybe just one and half. Hate the slush and splashing and splattering from passing cars. Haven't fallen yet! I will not fall! We were talking about get splattered from cars a little bit and I have only gotten splattered a little bit, nothing big, just my legs and I try to avoid it too! eh oh well.
Today, 6th of December is Mos Nicolae today for the Romanians! St. Nicholas! People leave out their shoes and get candy this morning, bloc knocking last night a lot of people mentioned it. I would ask Ce faceti?! Astepam pentru Mos Nicolae. We are waiting for Mos Nicolae. And last Saturday a couple of our English students, grandma age/ baba, gave us some treats. I was about not to accept it, because it's service - english classes! hehe, just kidding, I follow Romanian traditions and of course will accept gifts. And we probably won't be able to be in Centru for it but tonight at 6:00 the "Stefan Hrusca" will be singing and performing and singing and what not and they will turn on the Christmas tree. Tree is huge and I am told the tree from Times Square comes from Romania, myth I think...Nu stiu.
Studies are going great. Learn maybe 5 or 6 words everyday, try to and look over it day to day and constantly trying new things in my prayers, we say a lot. And saying more in lessons, I think I have taught every principle at least once from the first lesson. In Jesus the Christ, I learn so much and love reading from it. On Chapter 20 and nearly halfway done with it! English Book of Mormon I am in 1 Nephi 18 and in Romanian 2 Nefi 12 I think. I love reading and the set two hours to study personally then with my companion. We are getting along great.
Some awesome meals this week and lessons too! Mon: SHOARMA, in Centru and it was delicious. Piri Tifan, she is older, maybe 45 and has a basically husband but they are not married. They should be! All their kids are grown up and moved out. She said if she found the truth she will join for sure. Hope she reads and prays. Because Assistants came into town, got some mail!
Tuesday: Virginia, really sweet old lady, and as per usual with people in Romania - Ortodox/Orthodox. Not sure she wants to change, but she invited us over that one day last week and had another lesson Wednesday. Need to follow up on her and today we have a lot of calls to people to follow up on their commitments and reading. Lunch...before english at 5 o clock, Mcdonalds, 2 cheesburgers. Good lesson with Elder Betteridge with Ciobano, really the find and investigator of the week. Brother in town and not at church but I feel she will get baptized. Smoker and wants to quit, need to go over there soon and start the 7 day program. She really wants to quit. Read the pamphlets we gave her and hopefully is reading the book of mormon. Awesome dog, Rex. and always really nice to us.
Wednesday: Morning, went on a run. Super cold, ran up and down stairs in underpass, Lunch was pasta with salami, onions, and red/tomato sauce. Good lesson with Virginia and her neighbor Doina. Then good lesson in blocs with Costica...just gotta follow up. See if he decided to read.
Thursday: good day. with Elder Johnson. Went well overall. District Meeting. "WHAT IS THE DESIRE OF YOUR HEART?" Really thought about that a lot and thought of Mosiah 28:3. What I want to get to and what I feel more and more each day. I love Romania people and the country of Romania so much. Great lesson with less active Andrei. Lunch, just sandwiches at the church. Bloc knocking got two lessons with Mioara, really nice old lady and semi informal lesson with Florica, son and daughter, Vasile and Mihaila, and Mihaila's daughter, Ionela. Couple potentials to return to. .
Friday: good day, Ionut, not really interested after our lesson, not open to Book of Mormon really, Ciobano, good lesson more about atonement and first lesson; lunch, another Shoarma, 3rd one in Romania and probably the best all 3 from different places and I loved it, had everything in it and it was delicious. chicken, fries, sour cream, picant (picante like sauce) another sauce, letture, tomatoes, pickels, cucumbers, and onion. Good good. Good lesson with George and his mom, possibly he'll be going to BYU, looking into a lot, mom really encouraging. Then good lesson with Fratele Buium. Gotta get him back to coming to church.
Saturday: SNOWING ALL DAY ever since last night. English class, one more class this Tuesday (tomorrow) then break until January, good return lessons with Mioara and Mihaila. Cipri as well. really good plan of salvation lesson with him and his step-daughter Raluca
Sunday: fasting, Testimony meeting was really great and I really understood well. Sunday School, taught Youth about Honesty, then Priesthood was about Families and Prayer and Family Home Evening. Lunch, had pancakes with oatmeal in them. Interesting but I liked it. good lesson with really strong member and past branch president, Bro. Herghelegiu and his wife, son - inactive and trying to get to go on a mission - Marius. Then lesson in blocs - Dumitru really nice guy, gotta follow up.
Monday: good breakfast, running wise, went up the stairs in our apartment, couldn't run outside safely because of the ICE!, ran up the stairs then took down the elevator 8 times! 48 floors of stairs we ran up! WHEW! tired plus push ups and sit ups and stretching in between. break fast...crepes!
Good week this week. Hope all of yours was as all. FINALLY on Saturday sent out my letter to Taryn, had it written Monday and got it out Saturday. Marissa said she was praying for her....uhhhhh. Ignorance is bliss? hehe, I will too, I do anyways and for all of you. Mom and Dad. Shelby and Josh and Aubrey. Garrett and Kristi and Brodie, and Elsie, and Millie, Marissa, Grant, and Caleb. I love all of you.
The work is going well, open hearts to read and to pray is what these people need. And willing to change their thoughts. People are happy with what they have most of the time. Openness.
I love you. Have a great week.
Love,
Elder Schroedter
This week was very busy and we had a lot of success and lessons. Couple progressing and I think really close to baptism but they just won't set a date!
Overall a wonderful week, had a good time, not so much after last e-mail last week, rained so much and felt bad I rushed through the end of my week....eh sorry. I am always so rushed and busy day to day to day. I love it and this work so much. And uh....guess what?! It snowed hard core Saturday! Walked for about 15 minutes in it home from an appointment. Not a whole lot of fun. But no worries! Got sweet ear muffs. Plenty of layers. I am too too warm. Not a problem, and today I am trying out the thermal garments. They are way warm! Love it. Today got plans to go to Poiana, basically way up higher and colder and should be filled with snow up there. I am excited. I'll send some pics next week for sure. :)
Brief rundown for you Marissa this week...Assistants came into town Monday and had a really good lesson with old investigator Elder Lyon had last year when he was in Brasov. He is assistant with Elder Boynton...leaving in 3 weeks!!!!!!!! for home! crazy! Lesson went well with Tifan family, maybe something there...tuesday: really good lesson with virginia, less active nuti family, and at night 2nd lesson with ciobano. English went really well and was fun. Assistants left to Bacau. Wednesday: Virginia lesson again with her neighbor, not really sure if she wants to change, said she'll read it though! Then block knocking a ton the rest of the day. Thursday: From CLUJ Elder Nemrow and Johnson came for exchanges again! 2 in one week. District Meeting was really good, get people into Book of Mormon! Went out to Codlea for a lesson with less active Andrei, went really well, I think he really wants to come back, just money and job, then met really 2 cool families by Ciobano, area called Tractorul, Vasile and family, and Mioara, so many new names this week! Friday: E. Johnson and Nemrow left back, awesome day, all our lessons worked out, played ping pong with George, investigator, may go to BYU! other lessons: Ionut, Ciobano again, George, and Buium-less active, really awesome guy. Weekly planning. Saturday: English went well, couple lessons didn't work out. 2nd lesson with cool husband and daughter, Cipri, really feel good about him. Then lessons again with Vasile's sister Mihaila and neighbor Mioara. Sunday: really tried to talk more to the members and get them involved, they really are our greatest resource somtimes, bring them to lessons and have them share their testimony. Especially good because they speak perfectly and are native! good member lesson with Herghelegiu Family and Found Dumitru in the blocs.
And now today! it's going to be a good day, got a lesson planned for Cipri and it's going to work out! And a lesson with Branch President, Pres. Baies. Possibly Ciobano too!
SO the snow this week! Crazy! Snowed for almost two days straight, maybe just one and half. Hate the slush and splashing and splattering from passing cars. Haven't fallen yet! I will not fall! We were talking about get splattered from cars a little bit and I have only gotten splattered a little bit, nothing big, just my legs and I try to avoid it too! eh oh well.
Today, 6th of December is Mos Nicolae today for the Romanians! St. Nicholas! People leave out their shoes and get candy this morning, bloc knocking last night a lot of people mentioned it. I would ask Ce faceti?! Astepam pentru Mos Nicolae. We are waiting for Mos Nicolae. And last Saturday a couple of our English students, grandma age/ baba, gave us some treats. I was about not to accept it, because it's service - english classes! hehe, just kidding, I follow Romanian traditions and of course will accept gifts. And we probably won't be able to be in Centru for it but tonight at 6:00 the "Stefan Hrusca" will be singing and performing and singing and what not and they will turn on the Christmas tree. Tree is huge and I am told the tree from Times Square comes from Romania, myth I think...Nu stiu.
Studies are going great. Learn maybe 5 or 6 words everyday, try to and look over it day to day and constantly trying new things in my prayers, we say a lot. And saying more in lessons, I think I have taught every principle at least once from the first lesson. In Jesus the Christ, I learn so much and love reading from it. On Chapter 20 and nearly halfway done with it! English Book of Mormon I am in 1 Nephi 18 and in Romanian 2 Nefi 12 I think. I love reading and the set two hours to study personally then with my companion. We are getting along great.
Some awesome meals this week and lessons too! Mon: SHOARMA, in Centru and it was delicious. Piri Tifan, she is older, maybe 45 and has a basically husband but they are not married. They should be! All their kids are grown up and moved out. She said if she found the truth she will join for sure. Hope she reads and prays. Because Assistants came into town, got some mail!
Tuesday: Virginia, really sweet old lady, and as per usual with people in Romania - Ortodox/Orthodox. Not sure she wants to change, but she invited us over that one day last week and had another lesson Wednesday. Need to follow up on her and today we have a lot of calls to people to follow up on their commitments and reading. Lunch...before english at 5 o clock, Mcdonalds, 2 cheesburgers. Good lesson with Elder Betteridge with Ciobano, really the find and investigator of the week. Brother in town and not at church but I feel she will get baptized. Smoker and wants to quit, need to go over there soon and start the 7 day program. She really wants to quit. Read the pamphlets we gave her and hopefully is reading the book of mormon. Awesome dog, Rex. and always really nice to us.
Wednesday: Morning, went on a run. Super cold, ran up and down stairs in underpass, Lunch was pasta with salami, onions, and red/tomato sauce. Good lesson with Virginia and her neighbor Doina. Then good lesson in blocs with Costica...just gotta follow up. See if he decided to read.
Thursday: good day. with Elder Johnson. Went well overall. District Meeting. "WHAT IS THE DESIRE OF YOUR HEART?" Really thought about that a lot and thought of Mosiah 28:3. What I want to get to and what I feel more and more each day. I love Romania people and the country of Romania so much. Great lesson with less active Andrei. Lunch, just sandwiches at the church. Bloc knocking got two lessons with Mioara, really nice old lady and semi informal lesson with Florica, son and daughter, Vasile and Mihaila, and Mihaila's daughter, Ionela. Couple potentials to return to. .
Friday: good day, Ionut, not really interested after our lesson, not open to Book of Mormon really, Ciobano, good lesson more about atonement and first lesson; lunch, another Shoarma, 3rd one in Romania and probably the best all 3 from different places and I loved it, had everything in it and it was delicious. chicken, fries, sour cream, picant (picante like sauce) another sauce, letture, tomatoes, pickels, cucumbers, and onion. Good good. Good lesson with George and his mom, possibly he'll be going to BYU, looking into a lot, mom really encouraging. Then good lesson with Fratele Buium. Gotta get him back to coming to church.
Saturday: SNOWING ALL DAY ever since last night. English class, one more class this Tuesday (tomorrow) then break until January, good return lessons with Mioara and Mihaila. Cipri as well. really good plan of salvation lesson with him and his step-daughter Raluca
Sunday: fasting, Testimony meeting was really great and I really understood well. Sunday School, taught Youth about Honesty, then Priesthood was about Families and Prayer and Family Home Evening. Lunch, had pancakes with oatmeal in them. Interesting but I liked it. good lesson with really strong member and past branch president, Bro. Herghelegiu and his wife, son - inactive and trying to get to go on a mission - Marius. Then lesson in blocs - Dumitru really nice guy, gotta follow up.
Monday: good breakfast, running wise, went up the stairs in our apartment, couldn't run outside safely because of the ICE!, ran up the stairs then took down the elevator 8 times! 48 floors of stairs we ran up! WHEW! tired plus push ups and sit ups and stretching in between. break fast...crepes!
Good week this week. Hope all of yours was as all. FINALLY on Saturday sent out my letter to Taryn, had it written Monday and got it out Saturday. Marissa said she was praying for her....uhhhhh. Ignorance is bliss? hehe, I will too, I do anyways and for all of you. Mom and Dad. Shelby and Josh and Aubrey. Garrett and Kristi and Brodie, and Elsie, and Millie, Marissa, Grant, and Caleb. I love all of you.
The work is going well, open hearts to read and to pray is what these people need. And willing to change their thoughts. People are happy with what they have most of the time. Openness.
I love you. Have a great week.
Love,
Elder Schroedter
Monday, November 29, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, November 15, 2010
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
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
Friday, November 5, 2010
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
Friday, October 29, 2010
51 days!!!!!!
Hello Everyone! Hope you all are doing so great this fine Thursday!
The temple was great today and sending those quick e-mails this morning. I love all of you so much. Never forget that ever please. No matter what. Please forward this to Spence. Sorry I can't send it directly to you Spence, 100 % obedience.
SO last Friday was excellent. Got a nice package from T. Love playing trashketball with three teachers. Good practice with all the grammar and everything else. Sentences and phrases and what not and then we shot a basketball to try and get an extra point and you can knock in the Romanian flag we have for another extra point. IT is a lot of fun. And also. Last Friday I was the NATIVE!!!! I was winning until yesterday, Elder Green really did well and gave himself 5 out of 5 points although I thought he should have only gotten 4. I'll get over it. Tonight I am taking back the lead!!!! No doubt!
Saturday was just dandy. Got a letter tot he district telling us would host the next Wednesday. Nothing really exciting ever on Saturdays. Always so long for some reason. I wish the real Saturdays and weekends lasted forever. But it's ok. 4 square. the line was crazy! way too long because it's like double the amount of people in that gym time. It's ok though.
Sunday was great. Priesthood I love and Sacrament talks were great as well. Elder James gave a good one on enduring to the end. I passed the Sacrament with Elder Mikolyski. WHOA! Can't remember the last time I did that. SO long ago it seems at BYU ward in the JKB!!!!!! Pres Born gave a really sweet talk about Nehemiah. Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and fighting off enemies at the same time in 52 days! So stinkin quick! Well done Nehemiah. Fireside was really great. Brother Allen. Really funny guy and gave a lot of great insights for me. Notes on it. I'll tell you in two what is was about. Give you something to look forward to. Just ask and i'll tell you ;)
no movie for me and elder mik but we just studied.
Monday was great. Service. Did trash. SO COLD outside. Elder Evans from Duchesne,, UT left for Louisville, KY today along with the rest of his district. I'll have to leave a note for Wilders and Snows and everybody there. TRC and LTRC on giving directions went well. Lesson for number 2 went really well. It's always so fast! the "investigator"'s brother died, they are drinking, and recently got a divorce. Tough but I got the job done. Baptism in two weeks. ;D too easy.
Tuesday: DEVOTIONAL!!!!!!! ELDER RICHARD G. SCOTT!!!!!! what the heck. so lucky 2 apostles in a row. Felt bad for Carter! and then come to find out Elder Dan Morain from BYU ward who came in on Wednesday and also Elder Redfearn. So cool how he is right next door to me living right there!!!!! Keniwick I think Washington is where he is going. Elder Scott gave a sweet talk about feeling the spirit and being led by the spirit. Really liked it and got a lot of great notes from it. the best!! Love Tuesdays and the discussion rather than testimony meeting was great as well. 4 square i did so well today. I hate bragging but i was king forever!
Wednesday was good. Elder P, M, and R! so cool, and i helped hosted! Hosted Elder Kaomaitotoyaa from Fiji. Such a cool guy and really sarcastic. Elder Tarti from Casbadd or something in Pacific. Pretty good English. Missed gym but it was worth it I'd say.
Thursday: Temple was so great today. One more time for 2 years. I can make it and I will have it all memorized next Thursday! So dang close today! also also also finished the BOOK OF MORMON TODAY. close with the new testament. and d and c done last week or two weeks ago.
Hope you all have a great week. Sorry this email was really rushed. Hope you all are doing well. I miss you so much and I love it here and will miss it as i leave for Romania but i am oh oh so ready. I love you.
Love,
Elder Taylor L Schroedter
Thursday, October 21, 2010
6th week :) MTC
Yo!!! Salut, Buna Ziua! Ce mai faceti!!!!???
Hope all of you are having just a wonderful week. It has been a most excellent week here in the MTC. 6 weeks and 1 day. One transfer done. I think 16.3333 left. YAY! hehe, who's counting though? I am sure not! You shouldn't either.
So I weighed myself today, still 163. Week 3 I was the same thing, so I really don't think I gained anything, but the scale back home was broken...just saying. I got a letter this week from Ashley, Logan, Taryn, Laurel, Belinda, and Spencer. Thanks everyone! Means a lot. And no more or less than the dearelders or packages. Although you can take it easy with the packages, because why you send me stuff saying oh, don't gain any more weight, share with your friends and comps although everything we give you is everything you like and want. Share anyways. hehe. Just kidding and you know I am. All I am saying is you don't always have to listen to your children when they say you better send that kid a package. I don't need em although I do love em. I have had enough for my whole mish so you all did your job. Thanks. Hope that didn't sound condescending. I do love you all. And really I have plenty of food.
So it was a good week.
Last Friday. Mom and Dad in Utah just a few blocks AWAY!!!! Got a package of some sweet cookies. IN a BATMAN bag. Thanks so much! I love you Millie Kyla! Thanks for the heart and the letters.
Saturday...eh, nothing really to report. No DearElders in the dinner time so I always gotta wait till Monday dinner. What the heck?! Eh, I'll get over it...I hope. Not sure about this one this time. We'll see.
Sunday was pretty good! Priesthood was really great and we talked about giving blessings as well as Do the beginning with the end in mind. Eternal perspective. Missionary work. Plan of Salvation. Then Study time was great throughout all that day. Sacrament was good. Good mish talks on the Holy Ghost, no mishes from our District. Temple Walks canceled for Sunday because the week prior, Elders would meet up with Families, and have picnics with friends. And the grounds were left in a mess. Hate it how a few or one missionary can really ruin it for 2500 others. UGGH!!! But we had a MTC walk and I was able to finish the Doctrine and Covenants. Day 1 of MTC. My goal to finish d&c, BoM! and NT and maybe another one...PoGP. D&C CHECK!!!! BOM 100 pages left. NT...needs some work. just finished acts Tuesday. in bom for now. in 3 Nephi 11. I can do it. 2 and a half week left!!!!!
Monday was great! Another package from Mom and Dad. :) sheesh everything in there! cookies, brownies, rice krispies, sour patch, gum, sour ice breakers, cheese itz, and so much more...that was just the beginning. ;) Thank you for the notes. Mom Dad Garr and Kristi. (so the computer will lag but at least it doesn't double type letters unlike last week, sheesh what the heck was up with that last week?!?!) LTRC went excellent! talked about clothes and buying stuff in a store. Then talking about religion, and telling someone why I was on a mission. Then TRC went great. Taught the first lesson and I thought we did really well, me and Elder Mikolyski. Last week was tough with a difficult one and stickler - Grant. This week we got Kara as our investigator and it went really well this week. Able to get through everything and the sentences are coming easier going from English to Romaneste/Romana. Service was great as usual. They have a ball and cup game. Like the Japanese game where the ball is on a string and you try to get the ball in the cup. I beat the record. Service is all about records for our district and i don't clean fast or anything but i did beat the ball in cup record. haha record was 39 and i got 46!!!!!! yeah! I'll beat it again next week too easy. :)
Tuesday: was the best ever. best day of the week i'd say. just because not only Devotional but the District Testimony Meeting. And finally a member of the 12 comes to the MTC. 2 weeks prior to September 8th, Elder Holland was here and this week.....Elder Nelson came!!!! And he gave a really great talk. And even cooler, he dedicated the country of Romania in Bucuresti in 1993. And the first and last day I get to hear that dedicatory prayer in that park in Bucuresti. I am pretty excited for the last day and offer up my mission to the Lord and Heavenly Father. He talked about what everyone else has. il urmam pe isus hristos. We follow Jesus Christ. And our purpose is not only to invite others to Christ but to establish Christ's church on the Earth, in Romania! It was a great talk and I really enjoyed it a lot. Testimony was great too. Internationals always come in on Tuesdays. And the new Romanian district came in yesterday, Wednesday, but because they have an international he came in tuesday and was with us for our testimony meeting. Elder Horgmo from Norway and even cooler, his older brother went to Romania too.
Wednesday: new district came in and I am excited to be that good example that I know I can be to them and That I know I should be for them. Also a new English district came in. The Romanian district has 10 elders and 1 sister. Whew! Tough for the sister, but she'll be all the more stronger at the end of the 9 weeks. I wrote a note on their board that I am sure they understand perfectly of course. :) It's great to have them. It really is and hopefully our District can be a good example for them. I know we can do it for them.
Thursday: Another endowment session, for a guy from Italy. Paolo Gaiotti. IT was great, no ASL today, I think he did Inititories, not sure. I love being in there. So many great people and a great start to my day. It really is. Glad You Marissa and Mom could go earlier this week. It is a great place to be.
SYL this week was Tuesday and Saturday, but for me it's everyday. We just started a game "the Native" where someone (ONE) person is the native and they should try to speak only Romanian always for that day, then at the end of the day we will vote to see who the native is and i think a lot of people think i am the native. I love my District and we have really grown a lot in this past 6 weeks.
GYM!!! Outside is finally open, but that means the actual gym is empty and 4 square is the best. I got over not playing 9-Square and just own in 4 square. It is a lot of fun and good for me because it tests my patience. I love it. And it builds brotherhood.
I love you guys and thank you so much for the daily prayers and support. Hope you have a great week. Love you unconditionally and always.
Thanks so much Spence and Taryn for you letters "astazi". :)
Love,
Elder Taylor L Schroedter
Friday, October 15, 2010
more MTC
Hello Everyone,
I can't even remember what I wrote about last week. Time is a funny thing which I think I have talked about already. The time goes by so fast, yet at the same time I can't imagine living anywhere else. Ahh!!! I can't remember too well. The days really do blend. But working makes the time go by a hecka lot faster! I love it. In no time I'll be home. Too easy too easy.
How are all of YOU?! I don't want to say anything I have done, but I want to hear about you. Well...i Guess that won't be happening, I Like to e-mail all of you. :) I enjoy it here so much and all is well in Israel. Hurrah for it, alright?! K, thanks. B. Young and Heber C. Kim. Good men. I hope to be like them someday in the next two years and I think it's possible. Totally! Mosiah 28:3. I love it. Chapter 6 in Preach My Gospel is so great. I am trying to be perfect everyday of the week and it's tough! Perfect everything it way way way tough. But I manage alright. Not the best, but I am perfectly imperfect if that counts. I try each and every day. Look at your past day and be better than before. Pres. Hinckley!
SO last Friday: was good, nothing really to report about. Review week. Just kinda freaking out about our Monday's Lesson every since Day 1 and it's finalllyy 3 days away. 4-Square is a fun time each day in the gym this past week and Saturday too.
Saturday: nothing a whole lot. Story saturday so Miles and Irion tell us sweet stories from their mission which I always love to hear them talk about.
Sunday was an awesome day. Lots of study time which I love just to read the scriptures. Priesthood was good and we had a good lesson from a "sub" branch president oorr was oonnccee a mtc branch president. Pres. Callister from Utah Valley somewhere. Gave a good lesson on being simply a good missionary and he had a lot of great stories about his mission and from church history. Sacrament was great. Each week two elders are called to give a short 5 minute talk. of 3 weeks so far I haven''tt hhaadd to. anndd oonnllyy eelder green from our district has had to give one. (ok this double letter jazz is not likeable at ALLL) sheesssssssssshhhh. Talks were by sister anndd president trapnell. Goodman and Born out of town (hence sub needed). FFiirreeside was really great. Brother Heaton who takes care of us basically with meals and everytghing else here at the mtc. talked about inviting others to come unto Christ. THen after that we watched a movie, (eeaacchh Sunday you can chhoooossee our of like 4 movies what you want to see) Watched that 10 minute vid "Restoorraation" and then video where Elder Ballard is talking - "Legacy of Kirtland" and I never realliizzeedd how much really happened at Kirtland. Watch the movie and you wwiill find out a lof of stuff did! I really loved both movies.
Then Monday. Service is ssuuch a good way for me to start my day. The LGM was good, about having Faith. the speaker is "BIll Murray" look alike NO JOKE! and voice and everything. I bet they arre related. :) And beforree that.....THE T.R.C.!!!!! in romaneste! it was tough but a really great experience. first lessssoon. families. prophets. Christ. Apostasy. Restoration. Book of Mormon. andd Holy Ghost will testify. We got the one guy who really likes to give us a hard time. Great guy though and good to have because he really knows what we may encounter. His name is Grant. ;) and for LTRC this week we talked about foods and shared a scripture and what we thought aboutt it. It was fun, slow, tough, but with time I will get better at it. I know it.
Tuesday was great. Devotional was Bishop Richard C. Edgley. Always has been one of my favorite speakkers and I really enjoyed it. Great talk by him and his wife. I wish I could write you all my noteess I took from all the devotionals adn general conference talks. I really got a lot from his talk that night. And then the district testimony meeting was really great. I love testiimmony meetings so much. Excelent!
Wednesday. was good. Love those days too because they are the day before P-Day and we get clean sheets. And this week we got a lemon marangue pie from my comp's Elder Mikolyski's girlfriend who lives just down the rode. Her rooommate and past friend works here at the referrel center just down the hall from my classroomm and she drops off every wednesday personally a package for us/Elder Mik. And today we had two lessons!!!!! Miles, (Iacov) and Middleton (Stefan). Taught tthheemm both the 3rd lesson and they went slow but good as well. both in romanian. ssoo no worries.IT 'll come with time. I love teaching and need to do more of it!!!!
and today Thursday: temple was good as always. did it for a Manoel from Paipasomething, Brasil, 1890. Cool stuff.
I love you all. Dad, Mom, Shelby, Garrettt, Marissa, Grant, Caleb.
Love,
Elder Taylor L Schroedter
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Week 5
Hello Everyone,
Yet another great week in the infirmary, heaven, prison, living...., paradise?, jail cell with the door wide open. I love it. hehe
It truly was another great week though. I really did enjoy it and I hope all you did too. I miss you all and hope you are all doing just excellent!!!!!! Today has been great so far. Yesterday I started having a sore throat and it is killing me today. Took some throat medicine, cold medicine, and ibuprofen. 3 Pills! I think that is more than all last year. And that just goes to show you how bad I am hurting!!!!! I never take medicine. Don't believe in it....to an extent. Exception or severe bleeding and close to death. Then Some things can help ya out. Only sometimes though. It's all mental. I've doing alright so far in my life. Although I'll probably only live till I'm 45. No biggie. :)
So last week I'll just go through it right here real quick! Last Thrusday, finished up the rest of my P-Day just mighty fine now!
Friday: Went decent, nothing really to report about, had some sweet hits as per usual in volleyball outside in the sand. Class was good. I really do learn everyday. :)
Saturday: I just remember NO GYM?!?! ARE! YOU! KIDDING! ME!!!! Come on General Conference. Just kidding. I really love General Conference. This Session(s) was my all time favorite and each time it just seems to get better and better I love it!!! They were all so great. Loved every talk. Every quorum of the 12 talk I loved. And 1st Presidency was all great. If I have enough time I'll try and recap each talk...probably not but in letter form coming soon. Took a ton of notes.
Sunday: Also fantastic. Eat breakfast. Conference. Eat lunch. Conference. Then waited a little bit, then went and had Dinner. Felt so lazy but it was very rewarding. I set a goal not to fall asleep and guess what!?! I accomplished that goal. Impossible? I make the impossible, possible. That's all I have to say.
Then Fireside. MTC Presidency is Breinholt, and Clegg. and Pres. Smith. Pres. Breinholt and his wife just had us, about 10 of us come to a mic and tell our favorite hymn and why. Sang like 20 songs! Just 1st verse but I loved every second of it. Conference and that fireside really gave me a greater appreciation for music. I love it so much. So SO SO much. D&C 25:12. My favorite...look em UP!!!!! 193 and 292 and number one spot - 220!!!!!! Love it.
Then Fireside. MTC Presidency is Breinholt, and Clegg. and Pres. Smith. Pres. Breinholt and his wife just had us, about 10 of us come to a mic and tell our favorite hymn and why. Sang like 20 songs! Just 1st verse but I loved every second of it. Conference and that fireside really gave me a greater appreciation for music. I love it so much. So SO SO much. D&C 25:12. My favorite...look em UP!!!!! 193 and 292 and number one spot - 220!!!!!! Love it.
Monday was "excellent"! (ex-chay-lent!) LTRC was difficult. Had to memorize a ton of words to say about helping a person "move". It was good though and I love practicing my Romanian to those fluent members in the TRC. Then we taught our last lesson in English. NU BUN!!!!!!!! (noo boon) Although the lesson went great, that means next 4 weeks are all in Romanian!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH! DOn't worry though. I got this. I got this. Too two easy. Too easy baby!
Tuesday was awesome. One of my favorites. Class was good. This week we are all reviewing all the grammar stuff we have learned and we are teaching it to the rest of the class. I got tomorrow and I am teaching the Dative Case. Uhhhhh....one of the hardest things that we've learned!!!!!! Devotional was the BOMB! Elder Emeritus Brother Dennis B. Neuenschwander. He gave an awesome talk about becoming a good missionary. 7 keys aspects we all need to do. Learned a lot and it was repeated and brought to importance again in my mind. And his wife gave a cool talk about holding onto the rod, and about her ancestor were (Pilgrim) tossed over board and held on to the rope literally for his life!!! And now he has so many ancestors! presidents, church and U.S. leaders, and influential people. and Herself! I love devotionals and especially afterward when we all are able to bear our testimonies to each other. I love it.
Wednesday was awesome. we had interviews with our teachers.
Thursday. I love the temple. 2nd time with ASL. Looks like every time will be that way from now on because of Elder Mersey. But he will leave here after us! Marissa you may see him!!!! One of the Black guys. And they will probably always eat meals 730, 12 and 5 between lines 1&2 and 3&4. :) remember that. And finally! vaccinations are taken care of...son of a......and today I need to write some letters to you all as well as a couple other peeps!
So dang hot here each week in the laundry room. WHOA MAMAA!!!!!!!!! And from now on, everyday I am trying to do SYL in Romanian. Speak Your Language and nothing else.
Also, I got a hair cut today. They didn't do a bad job. I'll take pictures eventually and send you some. Don't worry about me. :) I love you all and hope you all have a wonderful week and I will write next week around this same time. I love all of you. Te pup. (tay poop) Kisses/See ya! Te iubesc.
Thanks again to everyone for all the DearElders adn Letters adn Packages! Whoa! That thing was packed! Thanks Mom, Dad, Marissa, Grant, and Caleb. Love you.
And Shelby, Garrett, Josh and Aubrey, and Kristi, Elsie, Brodie, and MILLIE!!!!! I love you all so much. Got the pictures Amma, Thanks.
Love,
Elder T Schroedter
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