This past week was just great for me and my companion, Elder Hyatt. I love him so much and I just found out from my pops and also from Elder Hyatt's family that emailed him. That his uncle and my dad are two young men stake presidents and attend church at the same building in Katy/Richmond, Texas. A shout out to Herb Hyatt! You have a great nephew here in Romania! I love being with him and being able to serve side by side. He is a great missionary and I have lots to learn from him. I was his District Leader in Timisoara and now he is my District Leader here in Arad. :)
With it being transfers and with new missionaries getting their visas, I went down to Bucuresti to do that! Yay! Me and Elder Mikolyski were the only two that didn't get their visas about three transfers ago..maybe just two. But now we are finally legal. After getting visas, we didn't spend much time at all at the gara talking to people, although i really wanted to. Elder Hyatt and I went to a members home and had lunch there, took a nap actually there, we were so tired and not able to have sleepers (meaning we sat in chairs for the train ride and didn't have beds) for the train ride down from Arad. And took a much needed nap. haha on another more comfortable chair, not quite a bed, Elder Hyatt got the bed. And then after that we had a good visit with one of my favorite families I would meet with there in Bucuresti. And while I have been here in Arad, since leaving, missionaries after me were able to work with a part member family and completed the family with the father getting baptized last fall. And then another awesome visit with a family, little less active this past year and hesitant to let their son to get baptized. he wants to so bad and it was great to be able to visit with them and it was one of my most favorite lessons ever. And probably next year if the missionaries keep working with them, the little brother and older brother will get baptized. That was Wednesday. Then we slept the night at my future apartment. Then Thursday we had mission council and we had some really great discussions about working with the branch and of course being good examples for all the missionaries around the mission. I always love going to those, learn a lot, see lots of ways I can be better and try to give some input. Always my favorite day of the month for sure.
Then back here in Arad, Friday morning, it was a good day. Got some more sleep. Then visited a lot of members and cleaning up the branch list. It was fairly cold but not too bad. Saturday was a good day, English starting up again this next week, signs up this Saturday and a lot of the time we were giving out english cards and advertising for that. Had a really good visit with a few members here talking about missionary work and just seeing how they are doing. I love the members here in Arad and love visiting them in their houses. Had a good visit with a member, where we gave him copy of the Book of Mormon to give to a friend and for him to write a note in it before he gave it to him. He said he'd gladly do it. Probably my favorite member - Edy.
Saturday night the Assistants came over to spend the night here, they are on interview tour across the west side of the country and Sunday morning...two weeks late. Christmas SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A couple inches on the ground, but we didn't walk to church, assistants took us. Then me and Elder Hyatt shoveled and also swept snow. I had the broken snow shovel and elder hyatt was equipped with the well working broom. Reminded me of great times shoveling snow in Brasov with Elder Betteridge and Bateman. I bore my testimony in church and by the end of Sacrament meeting I thought I was about to pass out, during sunday school, I didn't teach thankfully, I was out the whole time, not quite asleep, but just eyes closed and resting if you know what I mean, and then during Priesthood, I was translating for Elder McFadden and my tiredness and aches went away somehow. But then after we got home, I was still dead, think combination, of being sick all this week, going to bed a little late, train rides, fasting, and working hard. Got more sick, but after lunch, had a much needed nap, felt better, then for the evening went back to the church (President and Sora Hill were both at church) and we had interviews with them and the Assistants. They went great. I love talking to President and Sora Hill. It was a great week. This week is going to be even better. I will be back to full health and I am still with the best companion ever.
I love you Family! Happy Birthday Taryn! Take care everyone!
So here in Arad, it has not snowed and stuck at all this winter! And not at all this year even (what the heck? two days in and no snow. I want snow!) For the past week it was pretty chilly, usually around freezing but today it warmed up to about 47-50 and being Sora Hickman's last Preparation Day here in Arad, we went and played Pickleball. And I say this humbly, I am pretty dang good at it. Sam, we'll have to play when I get back, I'll teach and then you'll become better than me, but that's ok. I'll still teach you. It was so much fun, feeling kinda sick, runny nose, and soar throat, it was good to get some movement and sports in. Elder Hyatt did pretty good. And Sora Cottam caught on quick and Sora Hickman did well. McFaddens are super good. I can't play anymore being comps with Elder McFadden because...ummm we dominate. haha I played two games with Sora McFadden....and uh we dominated. haha I love Pickleball. I am definitely going to keep playing back home and I'll start it up at...the University of Utah. And when I visit BYU I'll start it up there as well. (I love you Marissa. Just remember, friends close, enemies closer. My ways are not your ways.) Anyways. It was a great week for me and Elder Hyatt.
It is such a weird thing with getting him a week before the transfer that will happen this coming week. I feel like I have been with him forever! Can't believe Elder Olson is home! So for the transfer, I will be staying another here in Arad! Yay. 4 transfers. Crazy! December was a tough month for the zone but things are going to be plain sick this coming month of January. Got some great things planned for this zone and this city. Not a whole lot going for us right now, that doesn't mean anything for me! This transfer I'll be with Elder Hyatt. And a sister that left when I came to Arad, she'll be coming back to Arad, Sora Henrie, and she'll be with Sora Cottam. I was very surprised to see the McFaddens staying again here in Arad. haha (They'll probably stay here their whole mission.) It's going to be great. I am finally serving somewhat close to Elder Martin after 3 transfers, he'll be in Timi and Elder Mikolyski'll be in Deva (first time i'll be serving around him since arriving in the country)! I love transfer time. We do not have to go down to Bucuresti...oh but we do this week. I need to finally and officially be legal in this country. haha I'll be getting my visa and that is going to be a wonderful day, visiting members and hopefully former investigators, staying the night down there this wednesday and having zone leader council with the rest of the zone leaders, president, and sora, and the assistants. I hate that train ride (all I have to say) haha
This past week was great. New Year's was sick. With Elder Bateman last year, we just stayed inside almost all night, we were kinda out late visiting some members and investigators and as I remember, kinda lame, but had the best companion ever at new years time. haha, But this year, we were just at the McFaddens playing games and eating Hawaiian haystacks with the sisters, and then at midnight we walked over to the center of town and it was just gorgeous with the fireworks, and it was great because we were so close to the fireworks. about 15 meters away, maybe 10. And it was beautiful, I videoed it and hope it came out alright, took lots of pictures too. That was fun, crazy too with lots of crazy people out as you can imagine, but we all made it home safe and haha barely made it to church the next day for the hour. No way I was not sleeping in that day.
With the holidays, we have had some fun searching out some lost sheep and just cleaning up the branch list. Tons of members that have moved and don't come anymore with different reasons and luckily, nearly all of them have been home and we have had some success with it. YAY! We have been working on that a little bit. It's hard to contact people on the streets, houses, and blocs being the holidays, but now they can't use that as an excuse. I still love street contacting the most. I loved it in Timisoara, not so much in Bucuresti but I love it so much. I love talking to people and especially the message and topic I get to talk to people about. The Gospel is a wonderful thing. Keep learning everyday and progressing forward and upward. This past week, Elder Hyatt had his first exchange up in Oradea, I loved it so much with Elder Taylor and Elder Hyatt was with Elder Jensen. We had some great success up there and even a second visit with a man in the park that came to church! Hopefully he'll go somewhere and they can keep meeting with him.
Got a lot of mail in a package from Bucuresti. They needed to send some stuff up here to me and Elder McFadden, so they overnighted it.
Thank you so much for the letters and season's greetings Taryn * 2, my Family, Spencer, Wilder Family, Presidents Monson, Eyring, and Uchtforf (we write a lot), Laurel, Grandma and Grandpa Ross, Mom (rings made it), Jared and Kadee Ross, Katy Stake, Bachrachs * 2, and the Williams Family.
Thanks so much for the support and love. I love all of you and miss you. Take care of yourselves and be happy. And never forget it's a choice. Have joy!
This past week just flew flew by!!!!!!!! So Crazy. I love Christmas so much and this time of the year. I have come so far and grown so much since my beginning days in Brasov. I can't believe while I am writing to you from Deva, my companion...former companion Elder Olson is spending the day in Bucuresti. Going to Cismigiu Park, interview with President, spending the night with the Assistants and heading home TOMORROW. These past 5 weeks went by super quick and I will miss Elder Olson, I taught him a lot and I think he taught me a lot. Just kidding, he did teach me a lot. It was a pleasure to serve with him. And I think he convinced me of the true school I need to go to...The University of Utah. I will still love BYU though. But I don't want to talk about that right now. That's another day, and another story.
So I forgot, at this time last week, I was in TIMISOARA! Playing some paintball and did email there and then back up to Arad, last p-day for Elder Olson. Just thought I'd say that...next week I'll try and be in Oradea for P-day, just kidding.
Last Tuesday it snowed but it didn't stick at all and just melted, even though it snowed for most of the afternoon and night, it was all just too light and that was the second time so far this winter snow wise....I bet in two weeks there will be snow on the ground. Hopefully. Tuesday we went to the shelter also for a little bit, we didn't really help out, they were getting ready for their Christmas parties they would be doing Wednesday and Friday. And those were so much fun/crazy all at the same time and will be one of my most favorite Christmas memories ever. I love going there so much. I can't really explain it, but it was just an awesome experience and a lot of fun time, making new friends and getting to know people. Some people that are really looked down upon in this country and others that are just everyday normal people that I probably would never ever meet. I love the Shelter.
Wednesday also, after the shelter, a lot of the members all met together to prepare for the Christmas party the next day and I learned basically the secrets and all the mysteries of making the SARMALE. I'll make it for all of you next Christmas...if you remind me. It's kinda a big deal and I'll forget. But it was fun just hanging out with all the members, and learning about sarmale. Every year they make it here in Arad and also in Brasov they would as well. They prepared it all Wednesday and then Thursday morning they all cooked it. I think just one of the members took the 3 big pots that the sarmale was in and she made it Thursday morning.
Oh man, Thursday evening. Those dang Sisters Hickman and Cottam, they did this totally on purpose. I can't sing. :( So the party started around 6. We got there and everything had been set up, stable, manger, Christmas trees, the day before and Tuesday as well. After English. 6 we started. So going to the church we got a ride from the McFaddens. And we brought some brownies made by me and other stuff. Then we get to the church and they ask us if we had brought the star (pretty big sized, 8 pointed, to go above the stable) hehe we forgot, so we just drove back home picked it up and went back to the church, we get there about 5:50 max. And then we get everything set up last minute and it's all good....oh wait, where are the sisters?! Dang it! They don't show up until about 6:30 and as a part of the program we all were supposed to sing O Little Town of Bethlehem, And it was like first thing in the program...and as you guessed it, me and Elder Olson sang it by ourselves. And me and Elder Olson are about the same musically talented (singing wise) I got him beat on the piano. But I know it was bad, but everyone felt bad for us and told us we did a great job....I was a little chapped off at those sisters. but rest of the program was great. Bivald makes a great Mos Craciun (aka Santa Clause) and all the kids loved it. One member broke the bathroom door, fiber glass I think? and upstairs in the kitchen, not sure why, the tile floor just broke unexplainbly. It was a great night. haha. Lots of family members of members and some investigators. YAY!
Friday. Good day and Saturday lots of fun, tried and succeeded in visiting nearly all the members with the car, sisters, and Mcfaddens, we went caroling to all of them and brought them some goodies. Ate very well that night, because everyone had something ready to give to the carolers and as tradition usually all the kids go out in the blocs and on the streets caroling and expecting gifts/money in return. And we started with a lot of gifts but in the end with all the members giving us stuff, I think we ended up with more than we started haha. Everyone is so nice here, and I love them all so much.
Christmas Eve it was great talking to the family! Everyone but Garrett! I love you Garrett and wish you a merry Christmas, brother.
It was a great Christmas here in Arad. One to remember for the rest of my life. I love this time of the year and can't believe we're entering already into 2012. I hope you all are doing great in your respective cities. Arad is doing great (I'm here) hehe. I love this time of the year, think about what I wish I did in the past year, this year that's nearly done, and what I want to do the next year. Make goals and achieve them. Be better everyday. Too easy.
Much love.
Coming soon the the Arad . ro / maraton (without the spaces) hopefully I made it! I ran this past Saturday in the Maratonul Mos Craciunilor. It was the Santa Clause race they hold here in Arad every Christmas. Last year it was awesome, a Elder Harvey ran in it and got 2nd place! I got about 35th or so, nothing impressive, but crossing the finish line after a huge "TWO SIX"............Two point six kilometers that is haha. I was dying after crossing. Me and Olson had run quite a few times during the day on P-day and in the morning in the stinking cold, but man that race was brutal. Last year there was snow and it was raining this year and so so cold! I tried, but my lungs were dying at the end. I did beat all the missionaries and some members that ran. It was fun and I got a free and torn up Santa suit out of it. I loved it.
And the day before that I was pigging out and training my stomach eating too many treats and a big Christmas meal for the Christmas party, for the Arad and Sibiu Zone. It was a lot of fun. Kinda stressful taking care of everything but it went well and people said they enjoyed it. I had some late nights with bunches of Elders at my apartment. As a part of the party, we saw a slide show of pictures around the mission and also the Hills pictures mainly with lots of missionaries. Then also a tie exchange and scarf exchange for the sisters. And a testimony meeting, singing Christmas hymns, played the same game as last year, telephone charades, lots of fun, and fun and games for some free time. It was a great day and I loved it. The day before that, had a great exchange with the best former companion ever, ELDER DURAND! Deva came a day early and they spent their exchange here in Arad and we had a busy and long day with 2 service opportunities, and member visits and helping set up the Christmas party, and dinner at a restaurant with 5 other elders. I miss elder Durand and it was good to be with him again, and actually he started his mission here in Arad and he was glad to be back and people remembered him too (he was here just for one transfer then went to Timisoara and his 2nd in Timisoara, he served with ME!) I love you Durand Durand!
We had a fun p-day here, last one for elder Olson down in Timisoara, paintball was so much fun and a few welts and bruises. So much fun.
Church, probably craziest one yet here in Romania, but I'll save that for another day.
It was a great week. I love this work so much and there are so many ways to do missionary work. Need to find the way that works for you and just do it. And also to remember, talk to everyone you meet!
I love you. Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays!
The Bells are ringing. Some highlights of the week. Edy got married! Ciprian was baptized in Timisoara. Started english. Visited an awesome monestary today. It was a good week. Met with most of the investigators...but first off. Edy!
Ever since visiting him my first or second week in the city, he talked about his girlfriend and getting married and finally last week he got married....3 months later. And the biggest reason which was a good one, was that his mom was in Spain working and he wanted to wait for her. Good for him haha. It was funny, they didn't really want to go all out at all and I respect that. So basically the wedding that they invited people to was to the Civil wedding which we also went to last Friday. Lasted about 15 minutes. We were five minutes late and it was already over basically when we got there. haha Everyone was just taking pictures and what not. The Sisters were there and what we missed, the civil man? He asked a couple questions to Edy and then to Timi, they both said yes and they kissed and they were married. haha I know the week prior (last week) Edy was kinda stressed out and busy, going to the town hall, and relatives and signing some papers, doing a little medical stuff. But didn't seem like too much work. haha but Edy was very happy and so am I. He's for sure one of my favorite members hands down here in Arad. He went through some hard times going inactive due to some silly stuff, but he is back and super strong and great for the branch here in Arad. He's the best.
For my exchange last week in Timisoara, i definitely had some free time to visit a past investigator, Ciprian! He had changed over the past 6 months so much. Less stubborn and I couldn't believe he had chosen a date when the missionaries told me that last transfer. I was so excited and I am glad it happended last Saturday. It was great to visit with him Wednesday when I was down there for the exchange with Elder Bennett. We had a great exchange and met with some members and past investigators, it was a great day and I simply wish Razvan and Caruntu's phone numbers still work. I want to talk to them, and hopefully they meet up again with the missionaries and I can talk to them again. There's a plan for everyone. It was great to receive the pictures from his ceremony. And I was able to talk to him on the phone last night and he was so happy along with his wife. They are the best family ever!
English classes. It was dumb. On Tuesday, we had a good turnout (for here in Arad) usually it's never as good as it was. But everyone was scared and didn't come to the medium class. So everyone was in Beginner and we both helped teach that class and basically spotted out the Medium students, which there were a lot of. So on Tuesday it wasn't the best, but then for Saturday, it was fine and we had a good class. And even a member was there for the Medium class and it went well.
Today was a cool experience. We visited a monastery. St. Simion Stalpnicul and it was really cool. Usually it's locked up, but it was perfect timing, when we got there, there was a group/field trip of 1st graders or so, so a nun I believe came out unlocked it for them and also allowed us inside to take a look. Super pretty and I loved all the paintings from moments in the Savior's life. They were very well done. It was pretty awesome. I liked a lot on the outside, huge mural/painting of Christ blessing fish and bread and feeding the 4000 or 5000...I am not sure, didn't have time to quite count that high, plus the scene didn't include the full multitude, I want to say 5000, because most people don't even know about the 4000. They combine in their heads into the same story. But oh well. That's for another day. Monastery was cool. And we went there in the car with the McFaddens and Sisters. Elder Olson was in the back, I was navigator...and then crazy not sure why we did this, but me and Elder Olson while the other 4 drove back, we ran back! Ran to Kaufland a sheer 7.6 kilometers. Not to bad. Walked a little in there but I was dying. It has been surprisingly not too cold in the last moment of time. We went running twice last week and already once this week. Off to a good start. That run was so long and killer. I was dying plus had a good sized backpack on. Shed down to the shorts and shirt fast. Only about 11 degrees...slash....52 degrees today during the day and it'll cool down to about freezing usually during the night. it was way cold about 3 weeks ago. Not warm, but not nearly as cold as it was then now. I love the weather now. Beautiful!
Investigators. People will come to church, we teach them, but really they show no want to progress and really it's tough to have them have that desire. Can't force anyone to do anything. We just keep inviting and working hard. I have come to love I can say the members here in Arad the most. Making the time for them, visiting them more and calling them to see how their day was. I love the members here in Arad so much. I love the west. It has such a different feel here than in the south in Bucuresti and even in the Central/Transilvania heart in Brasov. And from the south east of Constanta. I can't say about Moldova area - iasi, galati, bacau and then the Republic of Moldova Chisinau and Orhei. I'll let you know if I ever make it out there. Arad and Timisoara are the best cities ever to serve. I love the people here so much. They are so so nice and open. I love this message of the gospel so much. I love being a missionary. This is the best work ever that we can be doing. Pray to God and find out the truth for yourself. Easy as that!
I love you all and hope you have a warm and lovely Christmas this season. 13 days!
