Building a Roof - Romanian Style.

 This week went awesome for me and my wonderful companion. For Friday and Saturday we were able to give some service for a few hours in the morning. Lost some study time, but giving service is so precious and sometimes hard to come by here in Bucuresti. We helped a man up on his roof. Nailed some boards together. Helped clean up the old roof and take it down. Saw some more boards and wood. Leveling. Measuring. And building a house! The house is pretty run down, but it's alright. It was fun climbing up and down the ladder onto the roof. (I am such a kid. And I always will be.) It was done without an electric saw-could of saved some precious minutes here on the mission. But it was time well spent. We left him Saturday and haven't been back since, called him Sunday, but I am excited to see the progress. He came last week to the baptismal service of the other elders, now two weeks ago and he enjoyed it. And we are trying to continue teaching him the gospel. He is a great man and I have loved learning more and more words about construction and building a friendship with him. It was service well spent and I learned a lot of good stuff. Yesterday, we went singing contacting and that went well. Didn't do it for so long, but talked to a lot of cool people. It is transfers this week, but me and Elder Green will be remaining together and I am pretty excited for the miracles that we will be continuing to see this transfer. Can't believe 6 weeks has gone by, since I've been back here in Bucuresti. The branch is doing well. So many members that all need to come to church, but they have their choice. You can't force anyone to do anything and you really shouldn't if you think about it. Don't make people feel bad for not doing something. Just love them, because sometimes and at the end of the day, that's all you can do. We have met some cool people this past week and I have truly seen so many miracles in little every day things. Talking to people on the metrou, buses, and tramvais. On the street. Met some cool people just from our house to the metrou stop. Simple stuff and I love it. People need this message and gospel. They just don't know it. I know it's  true and I love being a missionary and I am not ashamed of it. Take care you all. Give an unplanned service to someone this week. Tie their shoe, open a door, clean their room, give them a hug, send them a nice note - handwritten, smile.

Love you all.

-Elder Schroedter

The Power of Song.

Barely four weeks into the country. By yourself, without your companion, and keeping up a conversation, maybe more listening for a good 20-25 minutes. Last Monday, it was fun to go Singing Contacting as a District just opening up the hymn books and belting out in downtown Bucuresti in the middle of traffic at night right outside one of the biggest metrou stops in the city, Piata Unirii! It's been our second time doing it this transfer and both times it was pretty chilly, I think this last week I got sick because I forget my winter coat...it happens though. But the point of this email is not to pity me, but to praise the best companion ever this world has ever seen. Elder Green! Right when we started singing, two or three usually will just try and talk and stop people and Elder Green nor I didn't do it the first time, just sang for straight hour and a half. But Elder Green talked with a man for a good 25 minutes! I wasn't even with him, but I just saw him out of the corner of my eye as we were singing. He is such a stud! Knows the language way better than me I'd say when I was in his shoes. And also yesterday in front of about 65 people gave a great talk about faith! He is making leaps and bounds. He helped me give a blessing to an older member here last Sunday. He annointed while I sealed it and gave the blessing. He is such a great guy and I love that just everything is new to him, and I get to experience it right along next to him. He is really a great missionary. He is giving really good lessons and spiritual thoughts in lessons. Sometimes with 10 seconds notice. I am loving Bucuresti and now the parks are coming to life and people are wiping the dust off their shoes and finally unlocking their doors to come outside from the winter. There is surprisingly some still ice/snow in some parts, but where the sun hits, it's all melted. Today it's at least 20 = 60F and we are going to play some football/frisbee. Gonna be fun! This last week, I had my first funeral here in Romania, it was short and sweet and planned about 10 minutes prior the speakers and layout. We did a special musical number. The other Elders, they had a baptism! and was confirmed yesterday. This Saturday there will also be a baptism for the other elder's companionship. Things are happening and I love the branch so much and the people here.
I am enjoying life. I love talking to people in the parks and just getting to know new people and make friends. I love this message and know it'll bring happiness to anyone and everyone. I am happy sharing it with others and talking to them about it. Inviting them to partake of it. To start. To read. To pray. To try and experiment.
It's been tough at times, but at the end of the day it's all worth it. Find joy in a song this week. They can be powerful. I love my family so much. They mean everything to me. Be safe. And especially Shelby this week! Ai grija!

Happiness

Happiness is a choice. Yesterday and this past week has been a great opportunity to reflect about my own personal happiness and just being happy in general. Never let someone else tell you how to feel or think. You always have the choice to be happy. We all have trials and problems and think sometimes God and the world is against us, but we have to remember it happens to everyone. The good sun and the bad rain fall on all of us. We have to be grateful and simply learn through living, and choosing to be happy. I just love the word happy and saying it, it is a happy word and the sounding of the word and what not fits the definition if that makes any sense at all. Be happy. Enjoy life. You are simply more happy when you choose to be happy. And it just makes sense to be happy rather than down on yourself and sad. Optimism is great. I consider myself a realistic optimist. I try everyday to be happy and it's sometimes hard. But I consider myself very happy. Be happy. 
I love the country of Romania. Things are going great for me and my companion. Working well together, teaching him the language, meeting with lots of people, members and nonmembers. And simply being happy while doing. 
Love you all.

Count your blessings!! For they are many!!

I never really gave much thought to the word 'many' in the song 'Count Your Many Blessings'. We had a great chat with the Senior Couple and other missionaries in the District about our favorite hymns that describe our mission experience. Lots of great insights. And the one I shared was 'Count Your Many Blessings'. I love that song so much and love singing it in Romanian. We all have so many blessings and we often forget how much we have truly been blessed by the Lord and God with all of our many blessings. Just a reminder to all of you, you are all blessed. I am so blessed. I love my mission so much. I learn something everyday and I have so many blessings. remember the blessings.
I love you family and friends. Take care. 

Numara binecuvantarile.

'

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.