TRANSFER 3!!!

Hey everyone!

Where on Earth did the time GO!!! I am in my third transfer this week. OH my goodness. It's so crazy. It is going by so fast so so fast! I want it to go slower. I love it so much and I love this work.

First and foremost. It was kinda a tough day Friday. I didn't want to believe. Elder Bateman called the office for something and none of the Office Elders answered! His Trainer was in Buch (who was in Orhei, Moldova - Elder Voglesberg) and another missionary from the group ahead of him, Elder Finch (from Constanta) was there....uhhh EMERGENCY TRANSFER. Ok. Elder Ransom. He got sick and is home now. Elder Ransom was companions with Elder Voglesberg in Orhei. And Elder Finch is now companions and will be Branch Leader this next transfer, as Elder Voglesberg has to leave Moldova (due to the 3 months only you can stay there without a visa). But anyways, I didn't know how to feel when I heard he got sent home. I would have found out today, but instead I found out Friday. I thought about him a lot. We were really good friends in the MTC and it's only/ was only his second transfer! I sure hope he recovers well and gets out and serves again. This is kinda like a former Elder Smith - Elder Bateman's companion in the MTC. He got really sick and went home. BUT! Now he is serving in Tennessee. And another sad note. I think family problems, Elder Schafer is home too. :( I really liked Elder Schafer, Played him in ping pong at Zone Conference and Training Meetings. I will miss them both. Hope they recover and resolve everything and get back into the field.

TRANSFERS THIS WEEEK. OH my goodness. 2 huge things. My companion - Elder Bateman is training here in Brasov!!!!!!!!!!!!! His boboc is taking my place and I am off to the west! TIMISOARA. Elder Betteridge served there for a few transfers and ever since he told me about it I wanted to go there. I would say after Brasov, and Sibiu, Timisoara is the next prettiest city. I am so excited to serve there and I hear the branch there is really good. District is 4 Elders. And I am SENIOR! with another Elder from my District from the MTC, ELDER DURAND! We are going to have a sweet transfer. I can't wait. Thursday this week, morning I'll be pulling into Timi!!!! I am excited. I have heard good things about it. I am going to miss Brasov so much. I love it here and was thinking I was going to stay another with Elder Bateman. We got along so well in my opinion and taught really well, as a companionship should. But.....Not my will. I'll Go Where You Want Me To GO!

Whew. I love transfer weeks. Only my second one, but I am so excited! Already in my 3rd transfer. No baptisms. Yet. And it doesn't matter about that. I want to invite and let PEOPLE use their agency and make their own decisions. I don't want to force people to get baptized just to say, yeah I got 20 baptisms on my missions. I don't care if I come home with 0. I know I will have worked hard with my time I was given. And if it is the Lord's will, all the better. My joy will be full either way.

Ok so this week, halfway through, pretty cold, about 30-35. But I would not be surprised if the latter end of the week never went above 30! It was so dang cold. Today was about -7 in the morning. Yesterday -10. (CELSIUS) Snowed Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday but that was the last time. It's all now just ice and snow! Not going anywhere anytime soon I would say. -10 just so you all know, 14 degrees fahrenheit. And I am out in it sometimes 3 hours at a time. WHEW! But I am staying warm and loving it. I will be missing this weather in the Summer time. It gets as hot and humid as good ol' Texas I hear! Asta e!

I love the scriptures each and every day. From TRUE TO THE FAITH. I am booking it through that book and loving it. Marking scriptures and reading topics. Today read about Hope Humility and The Living Christ. 3 great topics. And from the Book of Mormon I read in Alma 15 and 16. And I am understanding and writing down less words I don't know when I read in Romanian.

It was a pretty good week. I have had better, but it's life! Learn to love. Love to learn. I do both.

Last Monday: Due to the snow, no hiking up to Tampa, looks like I won't be able to be do that. DANG IT! Eh...when I return in a few years I am definitely doing that. Also on my list! /Our List. Rocks of Solomon. Adventure Park. Sapte Scari. And in the surrounding area of Brasov/Transilvania Peles Castle (Sinaia) and Bran castle. GOOGLE THEM! After internet monday, went and had some KFC. Got large and ate way too much. Then met up with MARIUS! AH, he leaves this coming Thursday! February 4th. We went to the Unirea Mall right by the Gara. Bought some shoes for Elder Bateman. Then groceries. Then Family Home Evening with Teo, Levi, Alecu, and Adrian. Victor didn't come. :( The main reason we had it!

Tuesday: Good lesson with Ioan about the Book of Mormon. Still needs to pray! And come to church. Did a lot of villa knocking. English lesson went well. And lesson with Victor and Levi. Victor doesnt' really want to get baptized. :( What the heck?! He said his parents were against when they definitely were NOT! I still have hope and hope he reads and figures out the importance of our message. He had a baptism date!

Wednesday: Lots of villas and blocs. Lesson with Mircea about the Gospel. He is really understanding well and tells us what he reads about in the Book of Mormon. He just has to quit that drinking.

Thursday: Had a good less active lesson with Alena and Catalina. They both came to church. And Catalina is active and strong, her Mom Alena is struggling and a little offended still.

Friday: Another lesson with Mircea, went well, obedience, prayer, scripture study and sabbath day holy. Marius was also with us there. Then evening. Good lesson with Fratele Buium. Such a good member, just works Sunday!!!! UGH! Then met with Eddy and Alex, said they were coming to church but they never did! UGH!

Saturday: Good lesson with Ioan, Plan of Salvation and invited him to church. didn't show. :( and lesson with mircea again - tithing, prophets, and law of chastity. He needs to quit drinking! UGH.

Sunday: really good sacrament meeting with Marius, Alecu, and Elder Bateman gave talks. rest of the day we did villas and blocs.

Sorry for not a lot of details. Not a lot of time left on the comp.

I love you all. My family and friends. Thank you for all your support.

Off to Timisoara. I love you so much.

Love,

Elder Schroedter

NEVER FALL AWAY!!

Hello Friends,

I call you friends as I hope you are my friend as well...see John 15:13

A good week for the missionaries in Brasov. It is kind of overwhelming at times that me and Elder Bateman along with the 2 Sisters are over a city of 250,000 people or so, I forget how big Brasov. It's that give or take a few. We are trying our best. I need to work on talking when we take the bus and not talk to my companion. I am really trying to only speak Romanian outside of the apartment. Kinda takes 2 though if you know what I mean. I am trying. I don't judge.

Yesterday, I gave a talk too, Taryn! I am sure you did way better than me. :) Mine was on Obedience and I opened with one of my favorite scriptures Alma 23: 6-7 (Two easy)

6 And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working ^amiracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were ^bconverted unto the Lord, ^cnever did fall away.

7 For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren.

I want to be like the Lamanites and I want converts like the Lamanites that NEVER FALL AWAY. 2 Nephi 31....something, after you have entered into this path, I would say is all done...NOT AT ALL. Endure to the End. The hardest and probably the most important part of this Gospel. We need to be obedient and we will always be happier. A simple truth of life. The paradox of life you could say. Where you think you are restricting your agency, you are in fact opening up more pathways for you a.k.a. ETERNAL LIFE. Lay down our weapons of rebellion. CHOOSE THE RIGHT. We are all trying to be better. Perfecting is impossible, but it's a good goal. :) My schpeal for the week.

My talk...I can't believe two months ago I gave my first talk on my 2nd sunday in the country! Seems like such a long time ago and at the same time, just yesterday. I have grown so much. And actually this time I enjoyed giving my talk. We had Victor at church and I hope he got something out of it. As well as the Sister's investigator, Sora Comanescu. FRATELE IRION*** if you are reading this. Such a miracle story with her, Sister's barely found her and she was moving the next week. She had a dream about the right church. I feel she will be baptized very very soon. More details to come. Heard my talk yesterday!

Studies-wise. I am in ALMA finally in the Book of Mormon and Cartea Lui Mormon. I love reading it and always write down each day about 15 words I have no idea what they mean. Reading in English, kinda gives me an idea, but some words, I haven't a clue what they mean. I love the Book of Mormon. It is our message. The Keystone! In True to the Faith I had a good study on Faith as well as the Fall. Lots of scriptures and references about it. Learning a lot and marking a lot of great scirptures to use.

WEATHER. FREAK! Snowing today, yesterday and Saturday too. About a foot on the ground! Give me a break - Scuteste-ma! hehe I love that saying so much. Always say it. Put the coat back on Thursday. About 32 degrees all the later half of the week. I am doing well Mom and Dad. Shoes, still in good condition and staying plenty warm. I think the thermals were a mistake buying those. but nbd. It's life. You live and learn and learn to live. While laughing. That's my philosophy. Stay positive and you can't have a bad day. Just try it. I promise. You can not have one bad day. Your work shall not be in vain. (Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye ^asteadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.)

Investigators....so close Victor. Wants to be baptized but doesn't quite have a testimony about our message! Likes and does his readings. Been to church twice. Had the date on the 29th but he is not quite ready....so close!
Doamna Ciobanu, need to meet with her, re-kindle that testimony. Health problems :(
Ioan, sweet English student, read whole BOM! Needs to sincerely pray and I know he'll get that answer to be baptized
Mircea, had birthday this week, made him brownies, knows BOM is true and wants to be baptized!

Past week:

Monday: Good day. Had lunch after internet at Mexican restaurant. Had a quesadilla. Taco soup and apple cake pie. Then went to the church and shot basketball a little bit. Then went and shopped at Carrefour. Saw Levi, Teo, and Alecu there around every corner! Then went home, unpacked groceries, went to the church and had a good Family Home Evening with Teo and Levi (young married couple) and Alecu and her boyfriend (nonmember) Adrian. Made donuts or gogosi. And had Lesson about Mosiah and the Church of Christ. End of Mosiah - Alma organizing with Mosiah the church in Zarahemla.

Tuesday: Pretty good lesson with wife of a potential investigator, just talked about Restoration. Not too interested I think. Mircea didn't show up at the church for our lesson. :( Had correlation meeting with Marius. Then English class went well. Talked about family and more pronunciation. Then good Spiritul thought on Christ and the Atonement of Christ. Then had a really good lesson with Stefan - Plan of Salvation. Hasn't made it to church yet but he has really good potential in the future.

Wednesday: Contacting on our way to the church, then we tried and went to register in the city but the workers said we didn't even have to! What the heck?! We wasted quite a lot of time, trying to get papers faxed from the office in BUC, but in the end, we didn't we have to do all of it. Oh well. Went home and had lunch, then our propriatar came to our house and fixed our sink, it was leaking a little bit in the bathroom, then we went villa knocking in Tractorul area (North Brasov) and then we finished with some blocks and then we went out to Victor with Levi as a member with us. Had a good lesson on Baptism and Confirmation, Sabbath Day and Tithing too.

Thursday: Good lesson with Fratele Manea, still not wanting to come to church at all. :( Talked about why he was baptized and tried to get him to want to come to church! Been 3 weeks now! Shared some scriptures from Alma about conversion and sabbath day too. Hopefully he'll turn around soon. Has some trouble with leaders in the Branch... :( late to District Meeting but it went well. Finishing off the transfer strong and on a positive note, working harder than ever, getting investigators to church and setting baptism dates! Hope to have a couple soon. People are so close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Victor, Ciobanu, Stefan, Ioan, and Mircea. After Dist. Mtg senior couples came to the church, Elder and Sora Dummar (from Heber, UT) and Elder and Sora Linerud (from Washington) We all went and had lunch together, and then they did house checks. Really enjoyed talking to them and I heard BYU was number 9 in the country from them....and also final 4 and 2 on NCAA bball will be in HOUSTON. What the heck?! I want to go!!! And also watch Fredette play! Eh....worldly crap. I don't care at all that much. I'll get over it. In the course of a lifetime what would it matter that I went to a stupid basketball game that decides which team is the best in the country for a span of time for 365 days? What does it matter? NOTHING. Ok. Yeah, nu imi pasa! Evening time on Thursday after some villa knocking. Went and met with Eddy and Alex. Spoke English. Had really good Restoration lesson with them. Gave Alex a BOM and he said he will read. They are both really busy right now, but really open and I see good potential in them. Senior year college and exam time!

Friday: Good lesson with Mircea, Restoration and he is still reading in the Book of Mormon. Went and helped Marius with clothes stuff for his mission. He leaves in less than 2 weeks! AHHH!!!!! I am going to miss that kid. Such a great member for Romania, espeically Brasov. He will be a great missionary in London - South. Then we had a lesson at the church with Victor, Levi came again. We talked about Obedience, Follow the Prophet, 10 Commandments, and Law of Chastity, he has almost had all the lessons! Then we watched the First Vision. He seemed to enjoy it. Then we went home, got some McDonalds again. Then weekly planning. Last full one of the transfer. 7-week transfer has gone by so so so fast!

Saturday: English went well. Really trying to enjoy. Increases my patience and love for Romanians. I love it. Then good Spiritul thought about steps of the gospel and our path back to the kingdom of God. FAITH. REPENTANCE. BAPTISM. GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST and ENDURING TO THE END. After English, had Plan of Salvation lesson with Mircea, he understood and seemed to enjoy it. Said he would come to church but never did. :( Then lunch and tried to set up but no one was free (Bogdon - potential, Ciobanu, Nicu - other investigator, now stefan, wouldnt answer phone) tried to visit bogdon - not home and neither was Stefan. Did soem block knocking and no one was responsive at all. People are ready I know it for our message. We keep trying to find and doing all we can. Being led by the Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit Guide.

Sunday: MY TALK! Felt so so different than 2 months ago. I have grown and learned so much language wise. I love this Gospel so much. Had really good talks by Sora Miron and Corina. Sora Miron is a great member and has actually volunteered at the MTC (Elder Bateman met her while she was there) Taught Sunday School to the Youth, just Catalina and non-member Alina was there, back from Germany and heading back there soon, think temporarily. Catalina was baptized last year but is a great member. Her Mom got offended and hasn't come to church for a while and neither Deacon aged- Marian. Dad- Gheorghe is always working and haven't been able to meet with him, plus Mom not coming to church, he doesn't want to meet with us because of that reason too. It's complicated. After church, had good lesson with Victor, Levi was present and we just shared scriptures and talked about prayer and testimony. Then after lunch went and knocked some blocks, one guy was really upset, kicked us out. He was ANGRY, but we didn't fight no worries. Elder Bateman held me back, just kidding. Actually though, Elder Bateman wanted to stay and talk to him, told him Mergeti inapoi, not quite what I would have chosen to say. And I just said we should leave and so we did. Then on way home, visited Ioan and had a good lesson about the Book of Mormon. NEED TO PRAY to get an answer!

Overall it was a good week. I feel like people are missing from it because they are. We need to meet with more people and work harder. Getting along great with Elder Bateman and we teach well. More Finding and talking to people! Missionary work is tough but I love it. Trying my best to inspire my companion and do my best myself. I love this gospel and my message for the world.

Hope you all have a good week. It is cold in Brasov but I love it here. Hope I stay another transfer. I'll find out next week. Dad. Hope your birthday went well. I love you all. I pray for you and think of you. I am staying warm and safe here in Romania. The future looks bright for me in Brasov. Focusing on everyone! Investigators and those searching for the truth that I just havent met yet. I love you.

Love,

Elder Schroedter

Never Give Up! Never Surrender!!

Hello!

Sam Williams. I dedicate this to you. I hope you feel honored, Brother!

Honestly one of the best weeks so far on my mission. Ups and downs but more ups rather than downs.

I know recently the 11th passed this past week, Sora Ciobanu was not baptized, yet. We gave a blessing Tuesday night, about the time we were supposed to be home at night! And we have another baptism date with younger guy, 23 year old Victor. Really excited about him. Date is for the 29th of this Month!

Weather forecast: Question of an early spring here in Brasov! Sheesh! It has been T-shirt weather! 40 to 45 degrees. I love it! Sometimes just shirt, white long shirt, and suit coat (Rule to always wear suit coats beginning of october to beg of April) and sometimes I'll add the sweater. I love this weather so much. So foggy last monday and tuesday. Went up to Poina and we drove Up out of the fog and could look down on the city. Looked awesome. My guess was last week and still is snow this Sunday...I'll keep you posted. :)

Sorry no letters yet. Working on ones for Spence, Ash, Fairwell fam, and Sam WILL! They will eventually get out...SPER CA DA!

I love the Book of Mormon. I love getting to know the prophets of it. Got on a little personal basis with my bud, Abinadi. He's a cool guy. Really like him. Just met Alma too. In Mosiah 18 right now and loving it. Going to finish in English and Romanian. It's going well. Lots of progress it seems with the language. I need to read more than just the CLM to study the language, but I still learn a lot of words. And random words or gospel words, still writing 12 a day! WHEW! 84 a week. Trying. Forget some of them, but I am truly blessed with a good memory. Streets, buses, where people live. Sense of direction. NAMES ESPECIALLY. So grateful. And In "True to the Faith" on the C's still, just reading that in order and mark and read all the scriptures that go along with it. I love my study time. One of my favorite talks was President Monson's in Relief Society, it was SOOOO GOOD!!!! Charity, something I think I have and always always need more of. And something I thought of for one of my Friends....Taryn. Read the I think 1st Counselor's talk. That is you! She was a convert at age...15! I don't know...maybe 1st Counselor someday. hehe. "SI...NU GLUMESC!"

Monday: I reflected on a FHE I think with the Andersens? Sister Andersen and her puzzle box from...HERE! When leaving Poiana I bought one! 10 dollars and I just did it and opened it too easy! Also something for the President and Sister Andersen as well as Sora Kim Andersen. The Sora Gorzo in Bucharest/Bucuresti. She sometimes CALLS US! She loves the missionaries. Elder Bateman, my companion, served 3 transfers there and she'll make a weekly call to us...not supposed to talk to her, but it is strengthening I think the members category when Elder Bateman talks to her, I really don't know what to say. She is such a nice member and all the missionaries know her basically! Poiana was not white AT ALL since the last time we were there! WHAT THE HECK?! Almost all the snow was melted....dang this global warming. But, asa este, that's how it is! I love Romanian sayings and idioms. Just call me Romanian. Up in Poiana we walked around, pictures, puzzle box! ate and had sarmale and mamaliga at the usual restaurant. Then rest of the day, shopping and at home. Catching up in journal. Was almost a week behind! But now all caught up! Had a lesson with Doamna/Sora-to-be Ciobanu but she couldn't meet, at the HOSPITAL! :( We tried to visit formers in the area and knocked a bloc.

Tuesday: BEST DAY EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! Morning not a whole lot of luck with Mihai - mici man. Costica - not home. Good lunch! Teriyaki chicken. Visited Victor....not home! Good FIRST English class. WHEW! RABDARE with the Beginners. First class too. Like 45 people who we taught. Greetings and salutation stuff. and the alphabet. Tried to expain you "ARE" so many years old but in romanian you "HAVE" Think we could have explained a little better but some did just not get it! And ideally we like and want the younger generation of kids...uh instead, we got they grandparents and some mid-aged parents too. I like it and one lady actually the 2nd class (saturday) stayed for our Spiritul Thought we give after every class and accepted a Book of Mormon! Gotta FOLLOW UP with her! Then we were at the church a little bit, uh didn't even teach with a lesson plan, but after, we got faxes from the Office in Buc for the first and second lessons. Then went and visited Doamna Ciobanu, I made Brownies for her and wrote her a birthday message on the Liahona (October I think - the Temple one) They just stinkin' got it here in Limba Romana! She loved the magazine and was grateful. She asked for a blessing. We called Marius and he hurried to come over. Waiting we just talked about her and her reading. Think she finished the Book Of Mormon. It's tough because she CALLED us earlier to be baptized on Christmas! She knows she knows it is true. We ask her to set another date. She keeps telling us she isn't ready. I know she is though!!! I am not giving up. But Marius came. Elder Bateman annointed the oil and then Marius gave her the blessing. I felt the Spirit so strong and know she did too. She was so much more happier after and all I could do was smile. She was so grateful and felt the Holy Ghost and was truly Comforted. "I know you have the power of God." Truly a miracle in my eyes. You had to be there.

Wednesday: A good day, trying more former investigators in the morning before sandwiches at home. Then our Propiartar came and installed coat hooks and had to check the water pressure too. Then had a really good less active lesson with newly married couple Teo and Levi. Levi has been a member about 4 years I think. Really good lesson and he wants the Melchezidek Priesthood and I know he is ready for it. Then again...Victor said to come by and wasn't home. Then Eddy (Nigerian brother) said Friday would be better. Retired to the BLOCKS! And had a really good lesson with younger guy who lives in Buzau right now but might move to Brasov. Have his number! Really good lesson with him.

Thursday: Good district meeting, focus on questions and making the most of everyday, don't just because it's the last half of the transfer lessen your efforts and DILIGENCE. So key. Every one of those Christlike attributes. I am trying so hard everyday. Always tired and giving it my all. Mosiah 4:26-27. I love those verses so much. After Meeting had lunch, Pizza again. Then went and knocked some villas. Had discussion, not quite a lesson with Cristian (website man we call him) he is just not ready for the gospel yet. I am pretty confident in saying that. Says he has done "bad" things in his life and doesn't feel bad for them, repentance and forgiveness. He says it's too late. I say NO! Then we had a lesson with Costica who lives close to the church and we struggles in ROMANIAN EXPLAINING A VERSE he read...you should all look it up and try to explain in your second language you learned...1 Nephi 14:10. I had no idea what or how to go about it. AY AY AY. But, I was grateful he read all the way from the beginning to there! Hope he keeps reading, says he is going out of town but would like to meet again. :) Then after him we had a lesson with VICTOR finally. Taught really good lesson on the Gospel.

Friday: Really good day. Contacting the streets in the morning. Lunch - spaghetti. Weekly PLanning went well. Villa knocking, found sweet family of four, taught really good first lesson and they said they wanted to come to church, but they were out of town and didn't make it. Then met up with Eddy and his roommate Alex, had good chat about Restoration and our church and about them and about us. Said they would like to come to church, they speak English and a ton of other african languages. Really cool and sincere guys and we might play basketball with them today for P-Day if they are in town and not in school.

Saturday was a really good day. Plan for 5 lessons but D. Ciobanu cancelled, not feeling well at all but we were able to get 3 other lessons! Before English class. Ioan, former investigator, has read entire BOM, need to get him to pray, to church, and get baptized hopefully. Then with Mircea, oh man, crazy! super orthodox, beginning of lesson, we asked to say a prayer, he gets a jittery stands up, faces the window, kneels down, hands together in prayer, bows head, whispers a prayer, crosses himself 3 times, does a wave/salute to the window, and stands up and sits back in his chair....uh. Then we just say, when we pray we use our own words and we said a prayer. And he actually came to church on SUNDAY! :) Orthodox but I have hope for him would like to meet again. And third lesson with Fratele Buium. Really good member, talked about the Gospel. Just works all the time and can't make it to church. Then we were in the blocs and couldn't get in any doors.

Sunday: HAD VICTOR AND MIRCEA at church! Sacrament was really good, talks on Our Words and Attitude, Temples, and Restoration lesson. I played the piano with Sora Alena playing the intermediate one. Sunday School was good on Heavenly Father. Priesthood on Eternal Families. After church, went home and had lunch. Then had a really good chat with another investigator Stefan, back finally from the holidays and really really interested. Feel really good about him. And a lesson with Victor where he accepted a baptismal date! Super excited and we have great things ahead of us.Then we finished in the blocs for the night.

It was a great week and I loved it so much. Hope you all are doing well and everything is going well. I love Brasov and the country of Romania so much. I can't wait to get all my investigators progressing. Ciobanu, Victor, Mircea, and Stefan. Really feeling good and success is the best. Postive. Keep the faith and be better than yesterday. I love my family and friends.

Love,

Elder Schroedter

"It is not meet that a man should run faster than he has strength."

Hello One and All,

Hope you all had a wonderful week with your families and lives. My life is the best in Brasov! I love it here and really hope I get another month and a half with Elder Bateman. Transfer beginning of February.

It was a great week for me. I read and finished the book, "Believing Christ" really short and awesome! It's about....Christ and really great parables and stories that Stephen Robinson shares. I liked it a lot. For every 2nd Transfer missionary, we write a talk/paper on the Atonement. And reading that book I was able to add from it to my thoughts. Also, I had to, no I GOT to read 2 Nephi 9, Alma 7, 34, 36, and 40-42 as well as p. 51-52 in Preach My Gospel. A great study if you are interested. I loved it. I just finished Jesus the Christ and it was a perfect study. Wrote my talk and gave it to President Lundberg Friday night at interviews. Just started True to the Faith and love it. On Adversity. Finished the Ensign talks, besides Relief Society, and actually I am going to read them, starting tomorrow, in the Book of Mormon and Cartea Lui Mormon. Mosiah 4.

I am understanding so much more it seems when people talk. It's tough to respond but I love it. Hearing people talk on the bus and street. I understand. Eu inteleg! It's going great. And it's getting easier to read and comprehend in the CLM (BOM). And when we read for Companion Study from PEM (PMG) I love understanding. Elder Bateman says I know more words than him, which I don't think is true...but eh. Asta e. Maybe.

Friday was an awesome day. MAIL!!!! Letters, Dear Elder from MOM! written around Dec. 5 or so, Sister Schroedter, first one from the field, thank you, Mom and Dad, written Dec. 5. and Sister Freeze, thank you so much for your letter and former Elder Freeze's Christmas in Japan. And the quotes. I got it a little after Christmas but it still meant just as much. Thank you. OH and btw...no one rides bikes in my mission. Either you walk or buses/tramvais. And a PACKAGE! FROM T Far! Taryn Farrell. Various items and goodies within. Thank you so much. Pants are huge! What the heck?! just kidding. ;) Popcorn was really good!

This week went very well. I love missionary work so much and I am trying to do my best out here. I am going to be out here for a while and I want to reach and operate at the optimum level and speed. I want so bad to learn this language! Perfect it day in and day out. To explain things simply. To testify with the Spirit. To bring others to Christ. Maybe not always baptizing, I am fine with that. I want people to simply be happy. That's what gets me through the day. I have something amazing to share with you. The world is maybe depressing, but I don't let that get me down. SMILE!

Monday was a good P-day, relaxing, wish we did something but it's all good. Went and got some dry-cleaning for Elder Bateman's pants. About 13 lei for a pair, expensive? ~ 3 bucks! I don't know cheap dry-cleaning prices. Then we went shopping. Came home. Wrote in journal. Listened to some music. Then had an awesome lesson with Dad and Son. They live in Bacau (city where missionary is the Branch Pres - now Elder Gunter and I don't know, 3 hours a way east or so) and we called them and gave them their information. He seemed really sincere and I thought it was one of the better lessons for sure!

Tuesday was a good day. Morning, tried to visit a referrel we actually got from Bacau, but he was at work. :( has all our information though. Need to visit him a again. Then lunch at home, knocked villas by our house, but no luck there, handed out a lot of stuff though, cards, pliants/pamphlets. Then went to church for people to sign up for English, pretty good turnout over the hour. Lots of people called this week asking about it. First class is tomorrow! (11/1) Keeping the date, I always do the day first, in my journal and other papers, just easier! I would get confused everyday and sometimes do. Makes so much more sense to me DD/MM/YY Americans always gotta be different and have their "own thing" oh well. Evening couldn't stinkin' meet with Doamna Ciobanu!!!! UGH! Her friend actually passed away and she was busy all week. Finally got to visit her on Saturday but she didn't come to church. Baptism date....she said when she knows she will set another one. :( Wish it was tomorrow (11/1) her birthday. We are going to do something nice for her though and definitely visit her. Today we have a lesson planned! We knocked a bloc by her house and had a really good Plan of Salvation lesson with Vant (means wind in English) Went well and he is a really cool mid-aged man. Mom lives with him, really old and struggling. It's sad sometimes, I see so many older generation people every single day. And their kids always take care of them. How exactly it should be I guess. Sad to see when they struggle to walk, climb up and down off the buses and travel around the street.

Wednesday. Exchange with Zone Leaders. Elder Johnson and Brunner (13th and 12th transfers) Both older. I went with Elder Brunner and it was a really good day. Met awesome guy on the street. Gave him a BOM and got his phone number. Gave out a couple pamphlets. Had good lesson with Less Active Levi. Young married couple. District Meeting was really great and focused on Diligence. Then had really good pizze delivered. 70 lei for 4 pizzas. 6 people. 12 each = 4 bucks for enough to be full. Delicious too. We had some luck and accepting people in the blocs. No lessons but gave out 2 more BOMs! Really promising. Hope they read and keep the interest!

Thrusday: Morning, Zone Leader's left and we went over to the church, set up with mici man - Mihai but he didn't show up (6 January...) Apparantly it is the celebration in the world/orthodox church, the day Christ was baptized...do we know that? I was unsure how they could even know but some people refused to meet today because of it! Saint for everyday of the year. Lunch had good meal rice with chicken teriyaki. Had a good less active visit with Sora Rotbasan and husband. Really nice older couple. Their daughter TEO is married to LEVI. Then went and saw a couple former investigators. One said he would like to meet. Even came to church a couple times. Awesome guy. Eddy and his roommate Alex are from Nigeria! 2 of the 20 black people in Brasov/ ROMANIA! I know there are some black members in Bucuresti. And for the evening we had a good lesson with recent convert Ivan, who next week is getting married, I mean this Saturday with Cristina, member in Bucuresti (Mihai Bravu) where Elder Betteridge is now and from my group, Elder James. They are an awesome couple and members. A strength and I think she will move up here to Brasov after they are married. We might try and do something nice for the reception or something...I'll keep you posted.

Friday: Had good lesson with Victor, Plan of Salvation, he said he was coming to church, even showed him on the map where it was and he never showed. :( Couldn't meet with George who we had planned! Had a good less active with Fratele Buium, really solid member but works all day everyday. Tough job! Commutes a long way to. 7 to 7. 7 days a week. I would die. I thought Missionary work was tough! Then stayed at church for interviews...what the heck! I was first with President Lundberg and it went well. He asked us when we have felt the Spirit on our missions and I talked about Testimony. Especially in lessons bearing testimony of Joseph Smith, I always feel and starting to feel it more even in Romanian. We also got mail then! And more supplies, BOMs pamphlets and Liahona's Conference issue in Romanian for the branch and for us missionaries. Got a ride home from the Assistants! Elder Mathis and Suppes (13th both) They stayed the night and left early that morning. Pres. Lundberg stayed at the Hotel right by the church.

Saturday: Good day. 3 lessons! One with Familia Trefan, former investigators, health issues for the wife, from Hungary really sincere couple. Then Nicu, awesome Dad and 3 and 7 year old boy and girl respectively. And wife. Lesson about church and inviting them to church! Then lesson with Doamna Ciobanu. Talked about baptism, her needs, church, book of mormon, I think she is in MORMON reading. Met her 2 months ago and in Mormon! WHEW! Faster than me! I didn't wear a big coat today. Not too cold lately! only like....uh 35 or 40 haha. I just wear sweater with suit/sport coat. Under Shirt and long sleeve shirt.

Sunday: Really good Church! :) played the piano for Sacrament. Didn't mess up too too bad. Stressful at times! I try not to play too too slow or fast. I know how that is! Try just keep good pace. AND NOT MESS UP! Good sunday school lesson on eternal families, Priesthood was on Heavenly Father and got pretty deep. Understood most of it and it was a great 3 hours language study for me. Great Sacrament talks by Sora Walker and Fratele/Elder to be soon Marius Corca and Negoita (1st Counselor Branch Presidency) After church, came home, had lunch, just pasta and butter simple and good stuff. Weekly Planned, didn't have time at all Friday. Then we visited Vasile who wasn't at church, struggling still and says he won't come to church because of people, offended and what not. Saddens me so much! Need to go bro! Then we tried and visited formers and went home.

It was a good week. We have to include the members more. hehe literally..."branch" out and not use the same members for lessons. Marius and Fratele (former Presedintele) Herghelegiu. Use all the members we can! Members are so important! 3 things new converts need at church for retention. From President Gordon B. Hinckley. Get more people at church! I am trying my best though. The work is hard and we do try and talk to people and set up lessons and appointments. I love it here in Brasov and there is a lot of work that we can do. I love my mission so much and wish it would stop going by so fast!

Today we plan to go eat up in Poiana again. Sorry I'll send some pics next week. Haven't really taken much in a while. Little pre-occupied. No letters sent off this week. But I have to write them, ah! No time. I hope you all have a good week. Be safe and be better than yesterday everyday. I love you all. Family and Friends. Thank you for your support and love.

I love you.

Love,

Elder Schroedter

Hello everyone!



It has been a good week this week. Not too many lessons to brag about, but "asta e" sau "asta e viata" - that's how it is. All part of missionary work. Can't appreciate the success if you always have success, right? But okay good. I have already felt slow and down side. Now for the rest of my mission I can always have success. And I will always appreciate! Always. This past week we had really good lessons but just not a lot of them. Din pacate or unfortunately.

I love how I can't find the English words or adjectives for things. This whole Romanian thing is going alright. My companion Elder Bateman says I know more than him! Which some words I know of course and some words he knows. I am trying my best though. Taking advantage of learning all I can. Something or two somethings everyday. hehe quote - Elder T Schroe: "Learn something, or two somethings everyday. Never limit it to one." Yeah I don't know. I just made that up. Awesome I know.

So I know you love to hear about my studies, or maybe I just love to talk about them hoping you will learn something amazing from my point of view and opinions. "ast parerea mea" - this is my opinion. AH. Sorry for all the Romanian! But in the Book of Mormon still reading a chapter or two a day in English and then Romanian during language study. Finished up Enos today. Understanding better in the Romanian and it's going good. End of 2 Nephi is my favorite. 28, 29, 31, 32, 33. My favorites! Jacob 5....dificil. Jacob 2 and 7 make up for it. And Enos is just awesome. I love his story and words in just a single chapter. JESUS THE CHRIST. Tomorrow I will finish the book and I want to just start it over! But first...I am going to read through Preach My Gospel and then True to the Faith. Then we'll see....Last few chapters have been so good! Chapter I read today was about Joseph Smith and a lot was just from JSH from the Pearl of Great Price. But it was still good. I am very grateful for President Smith and his courage in the face of adversity. His example is one of the best! You know the best example. And also, I started a couple days ago, just a book that was in the apartment. "Believing Christ" short book but really good. Too many people believe IN Christ, but they don't believe Him when he says come unto me and I will make your burden light, we can be perfected in Christ. BELIEVE! FAITH! I am nearly done with Conference talks from last year, NOV. 2010. Really awesome. Really love the talk about being an Example of the Believers. Sora/Sister Cook. We all need to be better examples and so important in missionary work. Never know who is watching and what you will do whether they will be interested or lose interest in the church and the way you live.

In this time of the New Year I have re-commited myself to be a better example. To read more. To accomplish my reading goals I have set. Be better!


Favorite quote of the week: Be better than yesterday. (Gordon B. Hinckley?)

My week last week....

Monday. Nothing too interesting I guess. Went to good Pizza and Pasta place. Got salami pizza, lacking the pepperonis. But I live another day. Went shopping at big mall up north west end of Brasov. Then shopping. Home. Took a little break. Letter. Music and journal catching up time. Then we went and visited a less active to find out he moved to Italia?! That has happened a couple times! Importance of keeping up records! Then we visited another one, she is older and really sweet, fed us some croissants home made and sweet baked good, not really sure. But she is out of town and she wants to come to church but just hip problems and struggling with age. :( Sora Jakeab.

Tuesday: Morning, had lesson, not the best with Cristi, it was going really well, then we found out the reason he wanted to meet with us. Thinking we(the church) would pay for him to go to America? if he was baptized. Then we had some lunch, just sandwiches. Salami. Elder Bateman had some chicken. Then Tried another less active, lives in Italy...then a investigator who was leaving the next day, couldnt' meet. Had awesome lesson with younger 25 year old, Victor. Said he would come to church! (he didn't though. :( ) We'll meet him this week for sure! Stopped by former investigator. Doesn't really want to change religions, but just likes our chats. Really good family and I think they could get baptized. Sper ca da! - I hope so! (I hope that yes - literally) hehe, I love all the Romanian vorbe/sayings. We have so many in English we don't even realize! Tried to meet with Ioan at church but he couldn't.

Wednesday: Lunch, rice and chicken, good stuff. knocked villas (more like houses) and no luck there. Had couple people cancel on us and then we finished up in the blocs. and oh yeah, basically snowed very lightly all day and Tuesday and Monday!

Thursday: District Meeting went really well. I gave language tip using a grammar principle, nothing exciting. Good missionary tip by Sora Mudge about being Consecrated Missionary. Really great talk. Parable of the Spartan Soldiers and the two sticks. Really liked that. And how we as missionaries need to lay everything on the alter of sacrifice. Serve with all you heart, might, mind, and strength. SO IMPORTANT! Then awesome spiritual thought by Sora Walker about MOSIAH 3:19. Such a great scripture. Used a lot but ever so important. Submit our will to the Lord. Live in the world but not of the world. Cliche, cheesy but so important. What would Jesus DO? Then Elder Bateman talked about the Spirit and the importance of it in our work. People need to feel the Spirit, we can do all we can, but we have to do it through the spirit so they can feel it. Really good meeting overall and hope you aren't bored from reading it. For lunch we all went to my new favorite restaurant - PANINI. Such a good sandwich place. And I think it's pretty cheap too. I love it too much. And I have had it a lot! After lunch, we went and did villa knocking and met really awesome American from Illinois. Staying for the holidays and we will have to visit her again. Met investigator, Ioan (john) at the church and had an awesome lesson. He has read the whole Book of Mormon. Just stuggles with the idea that we have to be baptized by someone having the authority! Leaving out of town. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, but he has got potential. Tried to meet with a couple others but they were not home.

Friday: Handed out English flyers, just little cards saying we are offering english classes. sign-ups the 4th and 8th. class starts the 11th. Good finding activity and we have met some people while we hand them out in Centru and on the street. I wish it wasn't the holiday time so we could go to the university where a lot of college aged kids are. The people we want in our classes! then after handing those out, had lunch, sandwiches and did weekly planning, went well and we have our investigators and people we want to meet with, just gotta set it up, call them and have them follow through and meet with us! After planning we went and visited Nina Ciobanu. She has been out in La tara and she is the one with the baptism date, which I am thinking will be pushed back because she hasn't come to church the past two weeks and her baptism is in 8 days. We are visiting tomorrow and hopefully it will go well. I am still excited for her. And she just may be out of town and won't be able to meet! I pray for her she'll be able to meet! Come to church and follow through! We needed to be home early because NEW YEARS so we didn't really knock as we planned, went to couple of blocs and stuffed them with English cards. Then went home pretty early 7! not 9. Wrote letters and wrote in journal.

Saturday: SLEPT IN. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had ear plugs in for the night (Elder Bateman snores sometimes) and plus I knew it would be loud. Seemed like everyone opened their window and were making a racket. Elder Bateman said he woke up to it at midnight. hehe, I DID NOT. Slept like a rock. Ear plugs are awesome. So we got to sleep in. Yay till 8! Christmas and I think only New Years not sure another day....maybe. After studies had lunch rice and beef. Then went to Centru, not a lot of response to English, then we set up our English posters at various bus stops around the city on our half. Had 10 of them. And I put them at busy bus stops. Mall, train station, park, and centru. Think all were rightly placed. :\ hopefully a lot of students will come to sign ups! Then we visited Sora Coca, really nice member, older, Marius Corca is staying with her (btw did I say last e-mail, he got his call to London South right, MTC reportation February 4th) And Sora Coca always likes to "pup" us / kiss us on the cheek. Always see girls doing that on the street and sometims a girl to a guy. Not usually and always handshakes between guys to guys. "normal!" "bineinteles" After Sora Coca, put blocs with english and holiday cards, then came home and made some area book calls trying to set up more lessons!

Sunday: I didn't play the piano! Felt weird actually. Sora Mudge got there before us and she played the piano! I think I will next week probably, nu stiu. I'll see if she wants to. Fasted today. Church went really well. Good turnout, about 30. Seemed like a ton of people were late! Testimonies were really powerfully and I understood NEARLY every word people said. So wish I got up there and bore mine. Next month no matter what. COMMITMENT right here. I am going to go up! Sunday School went well. Taught with Elder Bateman about Obedience. Then Good Priesthood lesson...hehe about the Priesthood. Then had a little Correlation meeting with Marius. Home and had lunch pasta and beef and sauce. Then went and visited Vasile, less active and that went pretty well, has some problems with leadership. Then visited Nicu, potential and said we could meet this week. And also a less active Doamna Ciorba, who is very less active. Or more like now orthodox but she is way sweet and always cooks for us.

Hopefully our appointments will follow through/happen this week and we can meet with all our investigators. No one came to church for us. The sisters had 2 though and I find joy in thier success and it inspires me to do better. I am trying. Talking to people and learning everyday.

I am trying. I love you all and thank you for your support and prayers. Have a super fantastic awesome week! I love you family and friends so much.

Love,

Elder Schroedter