Something Sora Hill said with me this past week in an interview with her and President Hill. "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ" as quoted in the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants. We know the end from the beginning, so why do we do what we do? Talking and inviting people to Christ, when eventually no matter what they will all bow one day? The answer is easily complicated. But simply put, because people need to realize it in this life and not the one to come. We preach the gospel because we know people are searching for the truth. We are told to by Christ. God loves all His children and wants to give everyone the opportunity. We have something that makes us happy and want others to also be happy. And at the same time it builds our own testimony in the bearing of it, we learn so much in such a short amount of time. I am here because I want to be here. I know God needs me and has a plan for me. He wants me to be happy. And also I need to meet someone here in Romania. To change them or for them to change me. We are all connected in the eternal plan of our Heavenly Father. I would be so selfish if I wasn't here, keeping something so precious to myself and not sharing and preaching the gospel. Not a lot of people seem to keen to listen, but I know their hearts are being softened each and every day, opening up for the true gospel. I want to have not a single regret, and I am so blessed to serve here in the heart of the mission. The power house of Bucuresti. It is where it was started and where we have the most strength. I know I need to be here.
A word I was thinking a lot about today. "Might" it is an interesting and deep word that is hard to explain. Sometimes meaning strength, power, vigor, force, or energy. What does it mean to serve with all one's might? The power or ability to accomplish and do. I am trying to serve with the might in all its power and in what the words describes. D&C 4 is repeated many times and it means so much to me. I love those verses so much. They mean a lot. Thrusting in my sickle with all my might! Working the plow and sowing with all my might. Awesome word.
It was a good week for me and Elder Newton. Silvia was out of town. Florin, only met once. Hopefully baptized this or next week. Harry, still meeting and doing well. He came to church. Iulian, haven't met for a while, just once last week. Had a really good lesson with Elder Awerkamp in Ploiesti. Such a solid missionary and still perfecting his language skills. He does really well though. Knows it like a champ. We had a really good lesson with 3 people. Aurel, Madalina, and Lori. I think a couple and a friend. Awesome lesson about the Plan of Salvation. I hope to be able to visit them when I get a chance to go back to Ploiesti. I love my 3 cities of Buc, Constanta, and Ploiesti. We have some awesome missionaries and so so much potential to grow.
Last week was also Mission Council with all the Zone Leaders. I love all of them so much! Elder Bateman. Assistants Finch and Frandsen. From my group Elders Fonnesbeck and Green. And lots of other great Elders with Pres. Hill and Sora Hill. talked about the logistics of a stake and we are actually really close. Just have to have a good 5 wards. Still room to grow and working on it. Bucuresti is where it needs to happen for sure. Had another meeting this morning with Buc Zone Leaders (east and west zone) with District President, such a great guy, and President Hill. Talked a lot about visiting less active members and such an important key they will be to having this stake and building up the church. Lots and lots of members here in Bucuresti but only a handful come.
It was a hot week here. Little rain. But me and Elder Newton are working hard as ever and loving it. Talking to lots of people and sharing the good news. Everyone needs it. They just don't know it. Working on working up my might and making it greater and greater everyday. Thanks so much Mom and Family for the package of candy and journal. Love you so much and thanks for some letters from Elder Stockdale in Czech, Laurel, Ana in America, and my Family. I love you all so much. Feel better T! Hope you have a great week like I will! Welcome home Elder Andersen and Wilder! Love you and praying for you. 3 NEPHI 5:13
Love,
Elder Schroedter
Thanks so much Mom for the package! Love you so much.
Something I have learned about life/mission life. We Have to do our part and God will make up the rest. I was thinking about the course of a mission. Two years can seem like a long time. A lot can be done in that time. But I have learned that what makes the two years is the importance of every single day. How do you build a house? How do you hike a mountain? How do you finish a race? One step at a time. About the perspective and your personal desire to every single day will make or break your mission. I have really learned that the awesome weeks that I have had is because I have had really good days. Small and simple things make the great things come to pass. We sometimes feel that we are inadequate, because we set so many goals but always fall short. Where did the in between part come in? Of actually accomplishing the goal? Why didn't we do it? Did we mess up setting the goal? What could have gone different? Basically I have been thinking about success and what we can do. I know that people are out there ready to accept the gospel. I have thought a lot about the commandments and mission rules. And in Proverbs, about trusting in God with all OUR HEART. Leaning not unto our own understanding and he shall direct our paths. What makes you trust someone you don't even know? You would never do it! The only reason you would trust someone is because you love them and know they will keep their promises and be true to their words. We have to know God, and then we will more readily trust Him. I have loved the most of my mission building my own testimony enough where no one can break it down. My study time in the morning is the best. I know God and trust him 100% All that is left is for me is to work my hardest, talk to the person walking towards me that I normally wouldn't because I know I will miss the bus that just went by. "Just do your best. It IS enough." He does not ask us to ever do more than we can handle. He knows me better than I know myself and loves me and will test me and try me, but will always provide me a way to do what he needs me to do. We have to do our best. That's all he asks for.
It was an awesome week this week. Elder Newton is such a good missionary. I like him a lot and we have met some really awesome people. We have had some really good lessons with Iulian. Used to live in Constanta, but is now living here in Bucharest. He has started reading from the Book of Mormon and is enjoying it a lot. We have met up with him a few times and I like him a lot.
Florin, is a really cool guy that has been in contact with the church off and on for 10 years. And he wants to be baptized this month. I like him a lot and feel really good about him. He came to church yesterday and is so ready to join. He just turned 18 and is so so ready.
Silvia was not baptized last week because she was gone on vacation. But she came to church this past Sunday and hoping to meet up with her soon! I hadn't been able to talk to her for 2 weeks and it was awesome to see her come into church yesterday.
I translated again for the Wolsey couple yesterday. Dang it. The member that usually translates, just sits there and gives me the mic. I am just like, no man. But dang it. He would just laugh and give it to me. UGH! But I am learning a lot and it's tough when people just read their talks at a 100 miles an hour. I love when missionaries talk the most. A lot easier and nicer. Elder Newton gave a good talk yesterday. And also the usual Sunday School teacher was gone in Oradea for a YSA conference. So, Elder Newton and I taught the class about tithing. And also I played the piano for the fifth Sunday lesson. AH! Branches need to function without missionaries! But I know it is the beginning stages here in Romania and it truly does humble me. I know it will be a huge powerhouse(Bucuresti espech) when I come back and visit in a few years down the road. We are doing what we do in the present to prepare for the future and the future is bright here in Romania. Might be some patches of thunderstorm, but the sun always comes.
Had some really good contacts on the streets, in the vilas and in the parcs. I enjoy missionary work a lot. Even with the rejection, I can handle and love it even more. Had a good discussion with Elder Newton about the temptings and kingdom of Satan. How his job is basically to stop the kingdom of God. And about Joseph Smith, why would Satan care if this church wasn't true? Why would he try and stop Joseph from praying? Why all the persecution? Why did Joseph never deny it? Because it was true. We simply just need to read the Book of Mormon and we will know that it is true. I know that it is true and that I am Christ's representative here in Bucuresti. I love to represent Him.
Read the Book of Mormon and you will have a good week.
Love,
Elder Schroedter
Alo alo alo. Something has been on my mind a lot this week is this whole thing about agency. It's caused me some moments very lost in thought and just thinking about the plan of salvation and thinking about all the people that have been on the earth. Every one that has ever lived basically and all that they did throughout history. Some way deep talks about it, one that comes to mind is Neal A. Maxwell I think at a BYU Devotional. Something along with this is eternity. As humans we have to have time? I don't know. We need to measure it. There is a day and night for a reason. A year equals 365.25 days. A day is 24 hours. And to think about that we will live forever and that we have lived forever just blows my mind. And I try to wrap my head around it and simply can't ever do it. We are born and we die. How can there be an end if there was never a beginning? A lot of weird thought processes and thinking lately! AH! so Crazy. But basically. I know it's true, I didn't say I understand it all living into the eternities backwards and forwards. But I know I lived with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ before and if and when I do what's right in this life I'll live with him after in the life to come. What this has to do with agency is that it is the beauty of the plan! We are not already on a set tract and God knows what we are going to do. But we have choices to make and we all know between good and evil. Because of the light of Christ that we all receive. I love agency so much. It kills me to be rejected sometimes, but I know that God has a plan for everyone of us. And we don't even know it sometimes.
It was a great week last week. kinda crazy with transfers but I loved it. Elder Veenendaal left off to Cluj. And I am here with Elder Newton. He is really an awesome guy. Same group as Elder Bateman (past companion in Brasov) He is from Holiday, Utah and we are getting along great. Not a whole lot has happened here in Bucuresti but we are looking forward to this transfer to make things happen for our companionship and to encourage all other companionships here in Buc and in Ploiesti and Constanta. We went on an exchanges with them in Constanta last week. Spent all day with them and drove back in the morning. They have some really good things going for them and they need to keep working hard. I love all my missionaries and I love my city of Bucuresti. I really do. It's tough everyday. But reading the scriptures and praying and trying to be a better person, closer to God I have found to love everyone no matter what.
Oh by the way, past two sundays- attempted to translate for the Wolsey couple here in the Mahai Bravu branch (as humanitarian couple) one talk was so so hard. Couldn't even understand her! But other two were easy. It's the best way to learn and inspire me to learn.
I love you all and hope you are doing awesome. Have a good week!
Love,
Elder Schroedter
It's official! Transfer board is out and it's going to be crazy. 12 Elders and 3 Sisters leaving. Iubitilor! And 12 Elders and 1 Sister coming in. Tons of young people training and it's crazy. I feel like every transfer in my mission has simply gotten better and better. I loved it with Betteridge and Bateman in Brasov. Durand, Bruner, and Eaton in Timisoara. Now Veenendaal in Bucuresti and this coming transfer is going to be BOLNAV! = SICK! mot a mot. Elder Newton, now the former Branch President of the city of Deva and now my companion as Zone Leader here in Bucuresti! This transfer is going to be awesome. We have some people really close to baptism. I am so excited. Elder Lee now in my district is staying and receiving a boboc. = a baby duck. He will be training. Sora Hansen in my district will be staying again and training the single sister. In my MTC group there were 12 of us in there. i couldn't imagine a sister as well. I am not sure she would have survived....haha. Elder Veenendaal will be going to Cluj with a boboc! TRAINING! And that's a white-wash where the two elders before him are both leaving.....Elder Durand being one of those elders who is right next to me now. He is in my zone! Constant has been struggling but I really hope it goes well this transfer with Durand with Newrow (staying) and Eckersly and Kopsa (both staying). Elder Martin who is in my district now will be heading up to Pitesti with a 3rd transfer mish Elder Nielson. And Sora Ausen has achieved my goal! She is going to CHISINAU, MOLDOVA. I really want to go there so bad. Ever since getting on that plane leaving the MTC it was and still is my dream. We only have zone leaders in Buc, Sibiu, Arad, and Bacau and RUSSIAN-Ukrainian Elders as Zone Leaders in Chisinau, but I will not be zone leader forever. No way! So there is still a slight chance I can make it there! Hope so. I really loved this District so much, I have gotten really close to all 5 of them and it's been a lot of fun. I will miss those leaving me, Veenen, Martin, and Ausen but I am glad I still have Lee and Hansen both with a boboc and a boboaca. And me with Newton....It is going to be sick. The best ever.
My trainers around the country....ah I can't believe it! First from my group from the MTC. Lee, Nilsson, Pettit, James, Nelson, and Mikolyski! I know they will do so great. I am way excited for all the missionaries and getting to know all of them. Be an example.
This past week was super hot. Exchange with Elder Nemrow in Constanta. Lots of fun but so so hot. And then I drove up to Ploiesti to do an interview with Victor who was baptized this past SATURDAY!!!! And the man Mihai who Elder Veenendaal interviewed last week was also baptized this past Saturday! 2 baptisms in Ploiesti. I was so happy for them! Great job Elder Johnson. I want to serve in Constanta and Ploiesti. They are awesome cities, with some awesome zone leaders.
Been tough again this week to meet with our investigators. Busy and out of town etc etc. Don't give me excuses, give me results. I am trying! No excuses at all. "People have agency, but I don't have an excuse." said and quoted by me.
I will really miss my Trainer! Elder Betteridge is abandoning me. It was awesome to kinda be around him for his last transfer here in Buc. And him staying an extra and getting rewarded by having a dog bite him. He handed me his frisbee to keep! I will definitely be seeing him after the mish at his house or at BYU. Looking forward to it. And other elders that I have come to know and love. Elders Johnson, Boehme, Suppes, Gardiner, Gunter, Leyton, Bennett, Toronto, Mathis, Wirthlin, and Brunner. I will miss all of them. And although i didn't really get to know the sisters that much, never served around them Hansen, Brielle (other Hansen not in my District) Hupp, and Harward.
It was a good day. We went laser tagging. Nice breakfast at the Wolsey's and hanging out. It's been a good transfer. Hope to be an even better transfer with every single one that comes.
I loved finishing up Doctrine and Covenants and the New Testament. I suggest all of you to read them.
Small and simple things. 2 years is simply making every day a good day no matter what. How do you make a brick wall? A brick at a time.
Love you all.
Elder Schroedter
D&C 122:8 The a of Man hath b below them all. Art thou greater than he?
It's all about perspective. As a Zone Leader, I could easily get a big head and be very proudful, but getting to know missionaries, talking to them, and reading the scriptures, saying prayers, and watching around me I try not to. Looking back on notes from conferences with the beginning greeting words of President and Sora Hill and parting words of President and Sora Lundberg. Looking at members in the church where I have been to church in various parts of the world. America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The gospel is the same and we need to be humble. Too many times have I seen people take something the wrong way and fall away from the church, because of someone else. But it should not be that way at all. People put themselves on a pedestal and expect to be treated in a specific way, if they don't get that special treatment, they fall. They can't come down off their pedestal. In the past 10 months I have learned a lot about who I am. How much importance I have and yet at the same time, how much more important the Savior is. I get easily discouraged and saddened when people reject us and even persecute us in some cases. But it really all goes back to the Savior. We think we are so great and we are too good to receive this rejection and it's not fair. We but only get a taste of what Jesus Christ went through for us. And instead of being prideful as natural human beings, having our thoughts focused on the Savior we will be humble and always see how much greater he is than us. I love my brother Jesus Christ and all that He did for me. People here in Romania need Him. And I am simply trying to do what's right, getting along with everyone, focusing the work, His work on Him and inviting people to come closer to Jesus Christ. It's tough at times. I am not saying I am the most humble person. but I am consistently trying to see things in perspective. Not letting my thoughts and ideas interfere with His work. "To say and do what He Himself would say and do if he personally were administering to the very people to whom He has sent me."
I love this message so much. It was a good week here in Bucuresti with Elder Veenendaal. Last Monday, we went at night to watch some fireworks, but those didn't happen, we were with a member and his son and a couple investigators. I didn't cry too hard to not see them.
In the MIHAI BRAVU DISTRICT are six proselyting missionaries. Me and Veen. Elders Lee and Martin. And Soras Ausen and Hansen. As well there is a Humanitarian Elderly Couple from Canada, The Wolseys. Tuesday it was really great. We were able to give some service for them. They were helping set up an apartment. Fridge and Washer and we put together 4 chiars, 4 beds, and a table. We took them all from the truck to the apartment on the 9th / in America 10th floor. Luckily the elevator was in good working condition and we didn't have to haul them all up the 10 flights of stairs! The fridge was tough but me and Lee handled it no probs. It was heavy and just awkward to move around, barely fit in the elevator with Elder Lee in it. Then I ran up the stairs to meet him opening the doors and managing our way through the doors to the kitchen of the apartment. It was fun to put together the chairs and beds. I miss doing stuff like that. I don't know, just reading instructions 1-7 or so. I like building stuff! but it was really great to give service. One of the best ways to show love, simply by giving time-one of the greatest gifts we all have to give. Just be selfless and humble!
On Wednesday we took a train to Ploiesti Me and Veen and then Veenendaal stayed with the 1st transfer Awerkamp in Ploiesti for the night and next day. Then me and Johnson (last transfer...actually 17th who extended one transfer) we went back to bucuresti that same night. We had a great exchange. Elder Johnson is one of my favorites. He was my first Zone Leader when I was in Brasov and we went on an exchange there. Now 7 months later, I have come so far! Now the tables are turned and I am his zone leader, supposed to give him advice how to do things. But he does everything so awesome. One of the best missionaries. It'll be sad to see him leave for sure Next week. While in Ploiesti, Elder Veenendaal did a baptismal interview for this Saturday (16th) older investigator of the Elders. Mihai. And this Friday we are going up there again to do another interview for two more people. Victor and Alex. All three for the 16th of July. Ploiesti is doing so well! And tomorrow we are probably going to go and do an exchange with Constanta. Busy busy! 3rd week of English and it's not doing so well. Brasov and Timisoara were so awesome for English, we always had tons of students. but here in the biggest city in the country!!!!!!!!! Little Paris. We had 2 students both days for English. But, next transfer will be better. The ad in the newspaper is really important along with posters. We should have done better with that. Oh well.
Other than that this week. Not a whole lot. At the end of every transfer. We do missionary reports on every missionary. Our District Leaders give us the reports through phone calls. We write all the stuff down and fax it in to the office to help President and Assistants for the transfer board that will be in the process this week. Usually all president, but President Hill doesn't know a lot of misisonaries yet so the Assistants will be helping out a lot. Bennett and Frandsen. We'll see what happens. About 99% sure I will be staying here in Bucuresti with Elder Veenendaal leaving. We shall see. Things are going well. We are really focusing on the less actives and members more and I know that it will help out a lot. Building good relationships with members, so they trust us, bringing them on lessons, to let them see us teach, firing them up for missionary work, and they will give us people to teach. Members out number missionaries and are so important in this work. Never forget that.
I hope you all are doing well. I am doing awesome. The heat is dumb sometimes, but all the more better to have lessons to not always be contacting trying to find lessons. Make the phone calls to have people meet up with you. Have a great week.
Love,
Elder Schroedter
Hello hello. I love America. God even said it was the promised land. Just gotta make sure we are keeping the commandments and we will be safe and happy and joyful. Never forget that. A simple yet so profound truth I have learned and it always comes back to that and keeping the commandments and being happy.
Before I forget, my mission is famous! I wish I was in Bucuresti when Conference was going on, now 3 months. sheesh how the time flies, but please everyone take out your Ensigns/Liahonas. On page 60 is Elder Farr. He is in the group above me and an awesome guy. Like him a lot and I'll probably be companions with him some time. He was companions with Elder Lee as District Leader here in Mihai Bravu and is now in Panduri the other branch in Timisoara as zone leader with Elder Betteridge. Just saw him today at our July 4th celebration....moving on. Page 80. Elder Vekony, from Hungary, awesome guy, served with Elder Betteridge, almost on his way back home in a couple months. He is pushing the guy in the wheel chiar. Elder Farr is actually in it again. And Elder Wolsey - senior couple, humanitarian here in Mihai Bravu, Sora Henricksen and Hansen are in there barely. President Lundberg is, his head is in there. And I think that's it. Then finally on Page 113. From left to right. Elders Johnsen, Herman, Barney, and Gardiner. All cool elders, know them all but never served around them much. Herman and Johnsen are still in Bucuresti, gotten to know them some since being here.
You're welcome. Random names with random faces that don't mean anything to you really, but some awesome Elders that I have come to become good friends with. I like my mission so much!!! Love all my missionaries!
Today was a lot of fun. After waking up and getting ready to go. We went to the store to buy some food. The sisters in our district, Hansen and Ausen, set up lunch and games for today. We all had to bring our part of food. We bought 10 patties, mustard, and mayo. 4 senior missionaries, with 15 missionaries all met up at the Panduri chapel and made hamburgers and hot dogs. With chips, juice, and then finished it off with some cake!!!!! Really good. Then we played some water balloon volley ball. I was partners with Elder Lee. Then played real volleyball. Kicking around volleyball/soccer but not. Passing the frisbee with Betteridge. I am going to miss that kid a lot! Can't believe he could already be home right now! But extended and is going to go home in 3 weeks! Make that 2 and a half weeks! Ah! It'll be so weird next transfer, 15 missionaries that I have come to know and get used to are all going home and 13 new ones are coming in. But, asa este and that is how the mission works. (And I forgot to mention last week, we all went to AFI palace, really big and huge and rode go-carts, lots of fun and worth it! everyone hadn't driven for 10-16 months, for me it was two weeks!)
Also last week. Tuesday night the Hill's came in! They had some missed flights/cancelled flights and only were able to spend about 3 hours with the Lundbergs before they left Wednesday morning. But they have been skyping and talking before they arrived (they got their call in January (ah can't spell anymore) ) they got here Wednesday. Then Thursday.
It was an awesome zone conference basically/"meet the Hills conference" Thought it went really well. Elder Veenendaal and I had the food and got all that sorted out. Feeding 45 people! Elder Betteridge and Farr also helped, they did, fruits, vegetables, drinks, chips, and cookies, while we had the pizza, bread sticks, and wings from DOMINO'S! Only cost 600 lei for our order. About 200 dollars! Really good presentations from the assistants and Betteridge and Farr and then after lunch was our presentation. I was a little nervous but did alright. It was a good experience.
Then Friday was Mission Council. First of every month. Finch and Rasmussen came down from ARAD. Bateman and Suppes from BACAU. Johnson and Vekony from SIBIU. (Russian) Whiting and Anderson from CHISINAU. Betteridge and Farr from BUC WEST and Me and Veenendaal from BUC EAST. It was really awesome. Of course with President and Sora Hill. And the Assistants Bennett and Frandsen. I really enjoyed it a lot. The Hills have some sweet ideas for the future of this mission. Not going to do everything their way, but slowly figure things out and change them as necessary. Some new training things with trainers and missionaries starting in August in the MTC. Trying to get the Stake before their 3 years is up. And in 10 years- shooting for the temple! It was such a good meeting and got me really pumped up!
Ah. I love this work so much everyone. So so much. Everyone needs it and who am I to hold back my mouth and not talk to everyone I meet. Charity is what we need and it's all about loving others. I love all of you and hope you have a great week. I love the work I do.
Love,
Elder Schroedter
