Too much snow!!!

Training

Back to the basics. I'll be getting on a train tonight to Bucuresti and staying for who knows how long. I'll be getting the coolest companion probably on my mission...just don't know his name yet. He is almost in the country. Getting here tonight. He is going to love me and I am going to love him. We are going to learn a lot and see so many miracles.

I love you all. Take care of all of you. I love you Arad and the people here. I'll see you again.

-Elder Schroedter

Big Snow!

This past week just flew by. I can't believe we are already into the month of February. Today outside it is snowing! Craziness. I thought we had escaped the snow, but three days into February it just came down more than it had a right to. This past week we went on an exchange with the Elders in Oradea and actually with both companionships. I had awesome exchanges with both of them and I enjoyed taking them back here to Arad and doing work. Lots of driving but it was all worth it. I went with Elder Jensen Wednesday and Elder Cox Thursday, both awesome missionaries. Thursday night we drove back up to the Oradea, stayed the night there and got multiple warnings and calls from the Assistants, President, and some members in Arad (that actually I called) to be careful on Friday. One of the members told me that on the news they said that this storm coming in is like the biggest since the 70s. And Friday morning, right when we woke up without showers we drove back to Arad. And driving into Arad, the snow had started! Luckily we had no problems at all and we got home in safety. All Friday it snowed. All of Saturday - surprised English students showed up. Sunday we had a good turnout at church despite all the snow. I was pleasantly surprised. And then today so far it's been snowing all morning. It's below freezing and it's still snowing pretty good. And it doesnt' show signs of melting anytime soon. But it's been awesome to push cars out of the snow. Before english we brushed some cars on our street just to come back later that day to see them all covered again. I think we brushed off the car 3 times and once again a good 5 inches was covering it. SO MUCH SNOW. And a funny phrase they'll say here in Romania and I love talking to taxi drivers saying outside it's a big snow. "Afara e zapada mare!" Not too sure that translates as smooth as it's supposed to, but that's ok. I understand.
I love the snow. Winter. Freezing temperatures. Lots of fun. It's great being with the best companion ever. We enjoy the work together and we are working hard and finally have some people to teach. Still working on simply building up the members' faith and testimonies. I love the members here in Arad and have grown so close to them. Next week is transfers and it'll be tough if I have to leave next week, but it happens. This is it. It's life.
I love to read from the scriptures and learn every single day more and more about life. I love giving service. I always feel better and happy afterwards.
I love my family and friends. Thanks to all for the support and love. Take care and don't freeze like me.

And Happy Birthday Sora McFadden! February 1st. Probably the best cake ever that me and Elder Jensen made with the help of a neighbor. va iubesc.
viscol mare.

My President

This past week, we went on an exchange with the Deva Elders and it was a great time. I love both of those former companions. Elder Durand and Elder Mikolyski. Elder Durand and I were together. We had a great time together. I miss our transfer together, so young in Timisoara, and it was great in Deva. He is a great missionary and he has quite a full plate of problems and what not. But he is great and deals with it all with ease.
Here in Arad. Things are looking up. I love working with Elder Hyatt, we get along great and we help one another, and when I say we, I more mean he helps me every second of everyday. He is such a solid missionary and I am grateful to be with him. We met with a couple new investigators this past week, awesome people and curious about our message. English is going great. I love teaching it! I love the missionaries in the Zone. Thanks to Elder Mikolyski I love the game of "trucu" (for all you portuguese speakers, Chase did you every hear about that game?) The members here in Arad are the best. 
I have loved being here and serving the people. We want to serve people, not get as many baptisms as possible. Had a lot of chats with Elder Durand and Hyatt about success on our missions. And I know we have all seen success. It all depends on work ethic, how much are you really dedicated and want to be here. I feel some days I have really wanted it at all. I couldn't care less if the baptisms come. Other days that's all I dream about it. I am called here to simply serve people and help them. To invite them and love them. I can't force anyone and if I don't get baptisms, I still know I had the best mission ever full of success. I hate how missionaries, some have not had a single baptism and think they are bad missionaries. I think of all the missionaries I talk to, go on exchanges with, the people I meet. The members. The senior couples. Everyone you talk to, remember to be yourself. Be honest and laugh and have fun. Don't be fake. If you love them, let them know that. Don't be secretive. Be honest! The mission is a tough thing, but you can't get down on yourself. You have to be happy, and enjoy the journey. To do that. Love and serve the people. I am still working on it. I am surely not the best missionary...but...i'm pretty close. Just kidding. I have learned so much about life, people, myself and I love to keep on learning. I love the mission. It's all mental.
Dad. Forgive me. I had your day all highlighted and colored in my planner telling me it was your birthday. Just for the last three mondays I always forget to tell you Happy Birthday. I know I have forgotten a ton of other birthdays. Forgive me. Be happy everyone!

Snow. Rain. Sunshine.

I brought two pairs of shoes on this mission. Both still survive...but there are very multiple states of survivors. With less than two legs...I am not sure how to say, but it is safe to say that both pairs are on there last legs. haha Yesterday, it snowed and snow was on the ground, few inches...but 3 hours later, the clouds parted and nearly all the snow melted with only a few exceptions where it was kept in the shadows all day. For the past month I have only been wearing one of my pairs, because the other one, although they are still wearable, are leaking water. So yesterday, I didn't sleep very well and hence was not thinking all too well and decided to wear the bad pair of shoes. Oh man it was bad, I was complaining the whole way on the way to the church, thanks for putting up with me comp! And by the time we get to the church, about a 13 minutes walk or so. My socks, ankle down, both feet are soaked, we were at church early about a half hour, so I go upstairs, grab a pair of sandals, and put my socks and shoes on a heater for the next twenty minutes. Got some funny comments from the members, when I was walking around in flip flops, saying hello, and right before church started just went back upstairs and put on not-so-much soaked shoes and socks. Church was great! Leaving church, we went to a nearby piata(market) and said hello to a member who works there. And then we went home, with my shoes letting in water, and once again my socks getting resoaked. Luckily we weren't caught in a storm or far away from home where I couldn't control the situation, but instead it was my choice, coould have controlled it and simply I chose to be smart and adventerous. Just like I always do.
With another week gone by. Me and Elder Hyatt are doing so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Arad. I love him. I love the members. I love the people. I love the country. And I love the future people that we will be finding...once again this week with our hard work and diligence. It was a tough week, but it was awesome at the same time. Monday it snowed. Made brownies and gave it to some members. Had a good visit at my favorite member here, Edy. He is trying to share the gospel nearly everyday with his wife, but slow and steady wins the race. He is solid and I always love going over there to visit him. Tuesday, also snowed again and we spent some time trying to figure out street boarding and talking to the Primarie and getting all that sorted out, good thing I know Romanian. Also had our first English class, went well, had a good spread in Beginners class and hopefully they come back Saturday, I thought it went well....after doing it for a year and a half, basically got it down. Still don't know English too well speaking it, but I know how to teach it. Then visited new member Ghita. He's doing great. Found a new job. And I always love visiting him.
Wednesday. Snowed in the evening time. Had a good visit with Banatean family. Some knocking on doors. And also, had my first split here in Arad with a member. I went with Edy and Elder Hyatt went with Elder McFadden. It went well, we tried to visit his friend, but he wasn't home and Elder Hyatt and McFadden got let in on two doors. Then we drove to Timisoara on the nice new road they just finished. Super quick and it wasn't icy at all.
Thursday. Best exchange ever with Elder Martin. I loved it a lot. Oh man, my heart goes out to him. There is so much going on in that city, and I wish I could be there and try to help. He just got there and he has so much he has to do now. Like a lot! It was great visiting with some members. A former investigator, and getting a new investigator. I love that city. Then for Friday. It rained...just about all day! it was a good day, although not a whole lot happened. Had good visit with some members.
Saturday. English went well. Spent some time in the park, then finished the night in the blocs. And Sunday was a good day as well.
The members here are great and that is basically what we are focusing on and also finding those are willing to listen.
Today for Preparation Day, we had a super fun Zone Pday where all the cities came to ME! Here in Arad and we played some Paintball. It was super fun. I was aching and it was fun to shoot everyone...on and off my team. And awesome price too! Thanks so much Daniel, you are the best!

Yesterday, taught the Gospel Principles class and it was really great, got talking about God and his love for us. Why so much happens to me? Why now? Why me? And basically the answer. Don't worry about it. God knows what we need. We need to trust in Him - a very hard thing to do sometimes. In the end, everything will be ok, if it's not ok, it's not the end.

Take care everyone and know that God Loves YOU!

Winter Driving and Smoothies

It was just the best week of my mission! As every week happens to be the best week. hehe Elder Hyatt has grown a love for smoothies (bananas, strawberries, ice cream, ice, some sugar, and milk, and vanila). We invited the McFaddens over last night to enjoy them with us and we only had them including last night three times last week. Very delicious and fast. But anyways. It was a great week, because I got to be around my fellow missionaries. I decided that with apartment checks (McFaddens deal with that) and also with District Meetings, how we need to do at least one in each city every six weeks. We knocked out all 3 rabbits with a single bullet as they say here (or 3 birds with one stone). Lots of driving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did it all, Monday morning last week, we held our District Meeting. Elder Hyatt is my District Leader. And then Tuesday. Down to Timisoara District Meeting and back up to Arad. Awesome because they just finished the highway two land road from Timi to Arad and killed the travel time in nearly half. Then Wednesday. Up to Oradea. Longer drive, but the District Meeting went really well. And then Thursday off to Deva and that was a long drive. So many villages where you have to slow down. And I drove a lot of kilometers. But it was so worth it. The Meetings went great and apartments were checked.That was our morning for last week and then we got back to Arad and had some good days of work.
We really don't have a lot going for us right now. But we are loving working together and visiting members and just trying to talk to as many people as we can. And just finding ways to serve the people. I love the people so much here in Romania. And I love to be among them and to serve them. Everyday is simply great, it just depends how we view our days. Be positive and happy, don't worry about the things you can't control...uh because you can't do anything about it. But never let the things you can control get you down. Be happy. It is a choice. I am happy.

And I hope you are too. I love Arad, if I haven't mentioned that before. It's a great city.