Monday, August 27, 2007
Fun Story
In Ross' letter below, he mentions Katie who just finished a four-month study abroad in Iasi, his new area. Katie is a high school friend. She is coming this evening to share pictures and stories about her time in Romania.
New Area
[Ross was on the far western end of Romania and has been transferred to the eastern end.]
Hey Everyone!!
I'm sure you're all excited for the big news and I have no doubt your lives have stopped this last week, because of all the anticipation! Well, to start I am in Iasi, where Katie just left from! Lol, pretty much all the members and missionaries know who she is.
And...I went senior. I don't really know what President was thinking on that one, but we'll see what happens I guess. The worst part is we got white washed in! Ugh. So neither of us know anyone or even how to get anywhere.But we've been doing well so far and it turns out my setting apart blessing was right, because I'm doing pretty well with the language. Like I spoke pretty well when I left Timisoara, but I think I speak even better here in Iasi, just because the Lord is helping me more and he qualifies those he calls. I'm excited for this transfer but kind of scared that I won't do well enough and live up to expectations. I went from a zone that was kind of dead to a zone that is on fire and a lot is expected out here. I've got to step it up a little.
My companion is Elder Platt and he's in his 2nd transfer now. He came from Galati and was actually one of the missionaries that got jumped and beaten up a little(nothing serious)out there. He's from Provo, Utah and still, everyone single one of my companions has been from Utah. Crazy, huh? He is a cool guy, but being only in his 2nd transfer not used to the language yet. I'm sure he'll progress a lot in this transfer. We'll see. Elder Magleby is my district leader out here and he is a way cool guy. I'm way glad he's as chill and laid back as he is, because it balances the intensity of this zone. He has a boboc this transfer, who seems really cool, too.
The branch seems to be doing really well and there are a lot of activities. Oh, there is a senior couple in this city and they are way nice and really do a good job. A lot of senior couples overstep their boundaries and try to run things, but the Wrights seem to do things right. So, we have FHE every monday night, Outreach Wednesday and Thursday, Sport Night every Saturday, a branch activity in there somewhere and English classes Tuesday and Saturday. It's pretty crazy, way more than in Timisoara, but it's really good. I've only had a lesson with a few members so far, Fratele Pitulan, the 1st counselor in the Branch Presidency. He's a solid guy, with a great testimony and is willing to help out the missionaries with whatever. Sora Cristina, got baptized in May, and her son, Narcis, got baptized last week! They're very strong members. Ciprian, a less active who I think is coming around because of the great example his 13 year old sister is for him. And Florin. He is so cool! I already like him a ton. He made some big mistakes I guess and is being watched by the disciplinary council or something, but he has made a firm decision to come around and partake of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He is really doing well and is doing all the things it takes to become a regular member again. It'll be awesome watching him progress! But I've met a lot of other members,too. Mihai, a 19 year old who is getting his mission call soon. That's pretty exciting. Sora Stoica, Petru, Sora Anton, and probably others I'm forgetting right now. It's been pretty rough coming in not knowing anyone, but I can tell I am going to fall in love with these people.
A quick update on some other people. Elder Jepsen is now in Bucharest as a District Leader. Sora Harrison surprisingly didn't go senior, but did go to Constanta and opened that city up for sisters. They haven't had sisters in Constanta for a good while now, so that was a pretty big deal. And Elder Selck is back to District Leader, but he's in Chisinau in Molova, so that's way exciting. Zone conference is actually in Chisinau this transfer, yay! We got our passports at transfer meeting and I guess we might be spending our P-day up there, too. I'm really excited for that.
Oh, I forgot to tell you about our investigators. We've met with Nicu already. He's about 40 years old (i'm horrible at guessing ages) and he is ready to be baptized! He has a solid testimony and has seen so many blessings in his life since he found the church. He knows for sure that it is true and is just waiting for his wife to get back from Italy. Over the phone, she was able to tell there was a change in him(she's been gone a few months, I think..) and she wants to come to church now to see what it's like. He's waiting until then to tell her he wants to get baptized. She should be back in a week or two so we are probably getting a baptism this transfer! Pretty exciting. Then there's Ionut, a 17 year old. He is also ready for baptism but his parents are against it. We'll have to see what we can do. Then there's Mihai, I haven't seen him yet. I guess he's losing interest. And then a couple who I haven't met yet and really don't know much about.
Well, everyone, I think that is the full update. Please ask questions if you have them. It's good to hear that all of you are doing so well. Dad and Mom are both working hard and having fun. J's dominating football and pretty soon, school too, right? ; ) S just had a sweet beach trip and now looks like a lobster. E, A and W are all playing soccer. Yay! I love soccer! That's actually what we did for sport night. It was super fun and I pretty much dominated, lol, with a few goals and a billion assists.
I love you guys! Thanks so much for all of your support and prayers. I hope you all have a great day and I can't wait to hear from you next week! And you'll find out how my first full week as senior went(gulp). Jk, it'll be great. I love you!
--Elder Ross
Hey Everyone!!
I'm sure you're all excited for the big news and I have no doubt your lives have stopped this last week, because of all the anticipation! Well, to start I am in Iasi, where Katie just left from! Lol, pretty much all the members and missionaries know who she is.
And...I went senior. I don't really know what President was thinking on that one, but we'll see what happens I guess. The worst part is we got white washed in! Ugh. So neither of us know anyone or even how to get anywhere.But we've been doing well so far and it turns out my setting apart blessing was right, because I'm doing pretty well with the language. Like I spoke pretty well when I left Timisoara, but I think I speak even better here in Iasi, just because the Lord is helping me more and he qualifies those he calls. I'm excited for this transfer but kind of scared that I won't do well enough and live up to expectations. I went from a zone that was kind of dead to a zone that is on fire and a lot is expected out here. I've got to step it up a little.
My companion is Elder Platt and he's in his 2nd transfer now. He came from Galati and was actually one of the missionaries that got jumped and beaten up a little(nothing serious)out there. He's from Provo, Utah and still, everyone single one of my companions has been from Utah. Crazy, huh? He is a cool guy, but being only in his 2nd transfer not used to the language yet. I'm sure he'll progress a lot in this transfer. We'll see. Elder Magleby is my district leader out here and he is a way cool guy. I'm way glad he's as chill and laid back as he is, because it balances the intensity of this zone. He has a boboc this transfer, who seems really cool, too.
The branch seems to be doing really well and there are a lot of activities. Oh, there is a senior couple in this city and they are way nice and really do a good job. A lot of senior couples overstep their boundaries and try to run things, but the Wrights seem to do things right. So, we have FHE every monday night, Outreach Wednesday and Thursday, Sport Night every Saturday, a branch activity in there somewhere and English classes Tuesday and Saturday. It's pretty crazy, way more than in Timisoara, but it's really good. I've only had a lesson with a few members so far, Fratele Pitulan, the 1st counselor in the Branch Presidency. He's a solid guy, with a great testimony and is willing to help out the missionaries with whatever. Sora Cristina, got baptized in May, and her son, Narcis, got baptized last week! They're very strong members. Ciprian, a less active who I think is coming around because of the great example his 13 year old sister is for him. And Florin. He is so cool! I already like him a ton. He made some big mistakes I guess and is being watched by the disciplinary council or something, but he has made a firm decision to come around and partake of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He is really doing well and is doing all the things it takes to become a regular member again. It'll be awesome watching him progress! But I've met a lot of other members,too. Mihai, a 19 year old who is getting his mission call soon. That's pretty exciting. Sora Stoica, Petru, Sora Anton, and probably others I'm forgetting right now. It's been pretty rough coming in not knowing anyone, but I can tell I am going to fall in love with these people.
A quick update on some other people. Elder Jepsen is now in Bucharest as a District Leader. Sora Harrison surprisingly didn't go senior, but did go to Constanta and opened that city up for sisters. They haven't had sisters in Constanta for a good while now, so that was a pretty big deal. And Elder Selck is back to District Leader, but he's in Chisinau in Molova, so that's way exciting. Zone conference is actually in Chisinau this transfer, yay! We got our passports at transfer meeting and I guess we might be spending our P-day up there, too. I'm really excited for that.
Oh, I forgot to tell you about our investigators. We've met with Nicu already. He's about 40 years old (i'm horrible at guessing ages) and he is ready to be baptized! He has a solid testimony and has seen so many blessings in his life since he found the church. He knows for sure that it is true and is just waiting for his wife to get back from Italy. Over the phone, she was able to tell there was a change in him(she's been gone a few months, I think..) and she wants to come to church now to see what it's like. He's waiting until then to tell her he wants to get baptized. She should be back in a week or two so we are probably getting a baptism this transfer! Pretty exciting. Then there's Ionut, a 17 year old. He is also ready for baptism but his parents are against it. We'll have to see what we can do. Then there's Mihai, I haven't seen him yet. I guess he's losing interest. And then a couple who I haven't met yet and really don't know much about.
Well, everyone, I think that is the full update. Please ask questions if you have them. It's good to hear that all of you are doing so well. Dad and Mom are both working hard and having fun. J's dominating football and pretty soon, school too, right? ; ) S just had a sweet beach trip and now looks like a lobster. E, A and W are all playing soccer. Yay! I love soccer! That's actually what we did for sport night. It was super fun and I pretty much dominated, lol, with a few goals and a billion assists.
I love you guys! Thanks so much for all of your support and prayers. I hope you all have a great day and I can't wait to hear from you next week! And you'll find out how my first full week as senior went(gulp). Jk, it'll be great. I love you!
--Elder Ross
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Amazing experience
Ross wrote the following in a letter to his friend dated August 6 -
Oh, I totally forgot to tell my parents about this in my email. I gave my first blessing in Romanian! It was for Sora Elizabeta, the same who is the first one I saw baptized. Crazy, huh? Anyway, she was really sick and had been at the hospital a lot. She actually thought she might die really soon, so it was a pretty intense situation to give a blessing in, lol. But I did and I did ok, too. Mostly, I just felt so good after giving it, seriously one of the best feelings ever. Then we checked back in on her the next day and she said ever since the blessing she's felt way better and a lot of her pain stopped. It was a super cool experience. Man, helping others, especially with the priesthood, is incredible!"
Oh, I totally forgot to tell my parents about this in my email. I gave my first blessing in Romanian! It was for Sora Elizabeta, the same who is the first one I saw baptized. Crazy, huh? Anyway, she was really sick and had been at the hospital a lot. She actually thought she might die really soon, so it was a pretty intense situation to give a blessing in, lol. But I did and I did ok, too. Mostly, I just felt so good after giving it, seriously one of the best feelings ever. Then we checked back in on her the next day and she said ever since the blessing she's felt way better and a lot of her pain stopped. It was a super cool experience. Man, helping others, especially with the priesthood, is incredible!"
The News -
Well, everyone, I know you're waiting for the news! .....I'm gone! After four transfers of being here, I am ready to move on. But there are definitely people I will miss, namely Andy, Gabriella, Sora Negriu and Elizabeta. Man, I wonder where I am going next?
Man, there were two big surprises with transfer calls. The first is that Elder Jepsen is transferred out, too. So I was white-washed in and I'm white-washed out. Poor Elder Jepsen, though. He has been white-washed out of his apartment three transfers in a row! He's kind of upset now and I can't really blame him. That's super rough.
The other thing is that Elder Woodhouse is staying with his boy for another one. This will be his 5th transfer here. He's pretty upset, too. Poor guy. So Elder Woodhouse, Elder Grant and Sora Nett are staying and Elder Jepsen, myself and Sora Harrison are out. It's kind of sad, because Elder Woodhouse, Sora Harrison and I have been together for so long, four transfers now. We've gotten super close and we're all really good friends.
We definitely have our work cut out for us for the next two days. There's a lot more work to do, because it's a white-wash. And of course, we need to visit a few members to say goodbye. It'll be crazy and a lot is going to happen before next week's email. Man, people from my MTC group are going senior. Sora Harrison is going senior for sure! I don't think I will, though. I still have too much to learn, too much to work on. I'm definitely content being Junior and just working hard. But I'll do whatever the Lord wants.
I hit a new low in my mission, lol. I ate Ramen for breakfast. We didn't have anything else and so I had no other choice. Then we didn't have time to shop and so we didn't have anything to eat again the next morning. So...we went over to the sisters and put on our best puppy dog faces. And it actually worked! Sora Nett was super nice and sat us down and made us an amazing breakfast of eggs and bacon. It was amazing! So then on Saturday we showed up and made it up to them with some french toast. It was way fun and they really seemed to appreciate it. Thanks for raising me right, Mom!
Man, there's this crazy old man in our English class that always comes. He's like 50. It's pretty bad, because he's totally a creeper on Sora Harrison. He follows her around trying to say dumb pick up lines in English, but speaks the worst English ever. I don't know how he got into the Medium level class. But anyway, he wrote a story about Billy the Kid in English and wanted me to correct it for him. It was the worst story ever! I'm not even kidding. It seriously made no sense at all. Sora Harrison and I tried to correct it, but couldn't understand what the heck he was talking about, or meant, so we basically just wrote the story for him. Seriously, he wrote it in english, but I felt like I was translating the whole time. That is the hardest translating that I have ever done, and it was from English into English.
Well, everyone, thanks so much for all of your awesome emails! I really want to write back to each one of you, but since we were waiting for transfer calls that took up a lot of our time and we have a lot of stuff to do. I'm really sorry! Thanks, especially J, you wrote a sweet email. Sounds like you are dominating life and owning people. I hope everyone has a great week! I can't wait to see what happens and where I go! Thanks for all of your prayers, especially you Mom. You are incredible and thank you! I love you all!
Elder Ross
Man, there were two big surprises with transfer calls. The first is that Elder Jepsen is transferred out, too. So I was white-washed in and I'm white-washed out. Poor Elder Jepsen, though. He has been white-washed out of his apartment three transfers in a row! He's kind of upset now and I can't really blame him. That's super rough.
The other thing is that Elder Woodhouse is staying with his boy for another one. This will be his 5th transfer here. He's pretty upset, too. Poor guy. So Elder Woodhouse, Elder Grant and Sora Nett are staying and Elder Jepsen, myself and Sora Harrison are out. It's kind of sad, because Elder Woodhouse, Sora Harrison and I have been together for so long, four transfers now. We've gotten super close and we're all really good friends.
We definitely have our work cut out for us for the next two days. There's a lot more work to do, because it's a white-wash. And of course, we need to visit a few members to say goodbye. It'll be crazy and a lot is going to happen before next week's email. Man, people from my MTC group are going senior. Sora Harrison is going senior for sure! I don't think I will, though. I still have too much to learn, too much to work on. I'm definitely content being Junior and just working hard. But I'll do whatever the Lord wants.
I hit a new low in my mission, lol. I ate Ramen for breakfast. We didn't have anything else and so I had no other choice. Then we didn't have time to shop and so we didn't have anything to eat again the next morning. So...we went over to the sisters and put on our best puppy dog faces. And it actually worked! Sora Nett was super nice and sat us down and made us an amazing breakfast of eggs and bacon. It was amazing! So then on Saturday we showed up and made it up to them with some french toast. It was way fun and they really seemed to appreciate it. Thanks for raising me right, Mom!
Man, there's this crazy old man in our English class that always comes. He's like 50. It's pretty bad, because he's totally a creeper on Sora Harrison. He follows her around trying to say dumb pick up lines in English, but speaks the worst English ever. I don't know how he got into the Medium level class. But anyway, he wrote a story about Billy the Kid in English and wanted me to correct it for him. It was the worst story ever! I'm not even kidding. It seriously made no sense at all. Sora Harrison and I tried to correct it, but couldn't understand what the heck he was talking about, or meant, so we basically just wrote the story for him. Seriously, he wrote it in english, but I felt like I was translating the whole time. That is the hardest translating that I have ever done, and it was from English into English.
Well, everyone, thanks so much for all of your awesome emails! I really want to write back to each one of you, but since we were waiting for transfer calls that took up a lot of our time and we have a lot of stuff to do. I'm really sorry! Thanks, especially J, you wrote a sweet email. Sounds like you are dominating life and owning people. I hope everyone has a great week! I can't wait to see what happens and where I go! Thanks for all of your prayers, especially you Mom. You are incredible and thank you! I love you all!
Elder Ross
Monday, August 13, 2007
Upbeat week
Hey Everyone!
This last week has been really good and a lot of things have happened. Still not a ton of success with the missionary work, but I think things might progress soon. Lol, probably as I am leaving, but that's ok. Transfer calls are next Monday and since I've already been here for 4 transfers, it's almost certain I'm leaving. I have mixed feelings about it, but I am ready to move on, to get a change of scene.
Thanks, Mom, for what you wrote from President Hinckley and that's exactly how I've felt this last week. Sure I've still seen lots of sad things, but I've also opened my eyes to the many, many good things; in the world, in people and of course, in my life. Maybe I was a little down last week, but it really did make me super grateful for what an amazing life I've been given. This week I am doing really well. I just feel on top of the world. Even though not a lot has changed, maybe my outlook has, and Elder Jepsen and I continue to work hard and there's nothing else we can do, but wait with faith for the blessings and miracles of the Lord. We really do live in an amazing time and even Romania with its rough history is a great place to be.
Let's see, where to start with. Well, Tuesday, I guess. It was a pretty crazy day. It started off with a pretty poor lesson with Sora R, an inactive that hates the other members. Not poor on our part, lol. The night before, the other elders had taken G, a really cool member who's about 27, with them to visit Sora R. And I don't know all the details, but Sora R tore into her and was ruthless and made her cry. So Elder Jepsen and I went into this discussion already pretty mad, but we heard her end of the story. It was pretty ridiculous and we talked to her a lot about forgiveness. This lady always complains that members never visit, but it's because every time they do, she tears into them. It's a joke.We tried tons of different angles. I asked if she wants to be with her kids forever. Of course she said yeah.(btw, they are older and live in America. One lives in Portland, actually) I said, well if you want to be with them you need to keep all the commandments and that involves going to church. We even offered to get her in a taxi and sit on each side of her at church so she wouldn't have to associate with the other members. She is a really stubborn lady, as you can tell, lol. She refused to believe that G was trying to help her and insisted that she only came because the missionaries made her. Then I ticked her off pretty bad with my prayer at the end, lol. I just asked that she be blessed to understand that G had only come out of love and for us all to better be able to forgive those that have offended us. I guess she didn't want to hear that, but I wasn't praying to her. So we left after having made no progress and we're not going to work with her again, at least for a long time.
Later, we had some pretty crazy exchanges. Elder Grant and I each had our own English class, while Elder Woodhouse and Elder Jepsen went to a lesson at the same time. They went, because right after that, after classes ended, Elder Grant and I left to have a lesson with Sora Gheorge. Man, she is the coolest lady ever. She fed us a way good meal and then we had a good review of the Restoration of the Gospel. During this time, Elder Jepsen came back to the church and left with Andy, remember he's not a member, while Elder Woodhouse was with the sisters! This was the only way it worked to cover all the lessons(Elder Woodhouse and Elder Jepsen forgot about English when they set them up) and English. It was way fun, though, and it was my first time ever being senior and since Grant is a boboc (greenie), it was all on me. But it went really well, I understood everything and was able to speak really well.
Actually, our exchanges went for 36 hours(well, Elder Woodhouse wasn't with the sisters, lol, but with Elder Jepsen), so the whole next day I was with Elder Grant. I wasn't able to set up with very many people, so we bloc-knocked for like 3 hours, had lunch and then street contacted for a good while until we had a lesson with Andy. That went well, talked about his Book of Mormon reading. We're reading along with him, two chapters a day, and so we talked about what we'd read so far.
Then our last lesson was the one I was the most scared about. It was with Gabriella and I was mostly scared, because it meant I would have to small talk for like 1/2 an hour. But actually her son, from Germany, was there, too. We talked a little bit while we ate, while Gabriella worked on the dessert, but there was no pressure, because we're all guys and we mostly focused on our food, haha. The lesson actually went really well. I mostly(with Elder Grant's help, of course) taught her son, because she already knows everything. We talked about the plan of salvation. Elder Jepsen and I had started a drawing of it with her and I went over it with him and then finished it. He had some questons, but I answered them pretty well. I was kinda nervous, but when I would look up, Gabriella would be beaming at me. Then at one point she said, doesn't he speak so well, he just got here in March and listen to him. That pretty much made my whole week. It was an awesome lesson.
We started up Outreach again, the game night every week for youth. It was cancelled for a little bit, because no one was coming, but tons of things worked out all at once and tons of people came. It was super fun! We had ping pong, card games, board games and then a movie, Miracle actually, a classic. One big help was that Cami, a young member girl, just got back from Italy and she brought a bunch of people with her to the activity. Hopefully, all of the activities will be better from now on. It will make a big difference in the work.
Sunday was pretty sweet. It was branch conference and Elder Facer, a senior missionary from the office, spoke. He said some weird stuff, like to show your faith you need to have a quiver full of children, aka 12 kids! But it was a good talk. Elder Garrett was there, too. It was cool to see him.
Well, that was a pretty huge update on the week. Hope you like it! Thanks for all of your emails. They were great, as always. S, what the flip is WEB?? lol. Well, good luck with it. And thanks for your email, it was way good. Dad, you're making me jealous with all your talk of the temple! That is definitely one thing I will not take for granted when I get home. That is a really good goal, to go once a week. I'm sure you'll be blessed for making that a reality. Thanks for the reminder, Dad, I actually have been reading my patriarchal blessing a lot. It's been a huge strength for me.
Yeah, Mom, the temperature has been a lot better. It has been raining every once in a while and that keeps things cool. And yeah, I think the branch will pick up again soon, too. I think school starts for them about the middle of September. I forgot to mention it, but President Munteanu gave a talk on Sunday on how the members need to step it up. It was really intense and really good. Hopefully, that pumps the members a little. Thanks for your support and also for the I Know.
Have a great week, all you wonderful people. I love you!!
--Elder Ross
P.S. A german dad and his daughter are sitting in front of me right now. I want to learn german super bad, it sounds so cool! at this point I hardly understand anything...
This last week has been really good and a lot of things have happened. Still not a ton of success with the missionary work, but I think things might progress soon. Lol, probably as I am leaving, but that's ok. Transfer calls are next Monday and since I've already been here for 4 transfers, it's almost certain I'm leaving. I have mixed feelings about it, but I am ready to move on, to get a change of scene.
Thanks, Mom, for what you wrote from President Hinckley and that's exactly how I've felt this last week. Sure I've still seen lots of sad things, but I've also opened my eyes to the many, many good things; in the world, in people and of course, in my life. Maybe I was a little down last week, but it really did make me super grateful for what an amazing life I've been given. This week I am doing really well. I just feel on top of the world. Even though not a lot has changed, maybe my outlook has, and Elder Jepsen and I continue to work hard and there's nothing else we can do, but wait with faith for the blessings and miracles of the Lord. We really do live in an amazing time and even Romania with its rough history is a great place to be.
Let's see, where to start with. Well, Tuesday, I guess. It was a pretty crazy day. It started off with a pretty poor lesson with Sora R, an inactive that hates the other members. Not poor on our part, lol. The night before, the other elders had taken G, a really cool member who's about 27, with them to visit Sora R. And I don't know all the details, but Sora R tore into her and was ruthless and made her cry. So Elder Jepsen and I went into this discussion already pretty mad, but we heard her end of the story. It was pretty ridiculous and we talked to her a lot about forgiveness. This lady always complains that members never visit, but it's because every time they do, she tears into them. It's a joke.We tried tons of different angles. I asked if she wants to be with her kids forever. Of course she said yeah.(btw, they are older and live in America. One lives in Portland, actually) I said, well if you want to be with them you need to keep all the commandments and that involves going to church. We even offered to get her in a taxi and sit on each side of her at church so she wouldn't have to associate with the other members. She is a really stubborn lady, as you can tell, lol. She refused to believe that G was trying to help her and insisted that she only came because the missionaries made her. Then I ticked her off pretty bad with my prayer at the end, lol. I just asked that she be blessed to understand that G had only come out of love and for us all to better be able to forgive those that have offended us. I guess she didn't want to hear that, but I wasn't praying to her. So we left after having made no progress and we're not going to work with her again, at least for a long time.
Later, we had some pretty crazy exchanges. Elder Grant and I each had our own English class, while Elder Woodhouse and Elder Jepsen went to a lesson at the same time. They went, because right after that, after classes ended, Elder Grant and I left to have a lesson with Sora Gheorge. Man, she is the coolest lady ever. She fed us a way good meal and then we had a good review of the Restoration of the Gospel. During this time, Elder Jepsen came back to the church and left with Andy, remember he's not a member, while Elder Woodhouse was with the sisters! This was the only way it worked to cover all the lessons(Elder Woodhouse and Elder Jepsen forgot about English when they set them up) and English. It was way fun, though, and it was my first time ever being senior and since Grant is a boboc (greenie), it was all on me. But it went really well, I understood everything and was able to speak really well.
Actually, our exchanges went for 36 hours(well, Elder Woodhouse wasn't with the sisters, lol, but with Elder Jepsen), so the whole next day I was with Elder Grant. I wasn't able to set up with very many people, so we bloc-knocked for like 3 hours, had lunch and then street contacted for a good while until we had a lesson with Andy. That went well, talked about his Book of Mormon reading. We're reading along with him, two chapters a day, and so we talked about what we'd read so far.
Then our last lesson was the one I was the most scared about. It was with Gabriella and I was mostly scared, because it meant I would have to small talk for like 1/2 an hour. But actually her son, from Germany, was there, too. We talked a little bit while we ate, while Gabriella worked on the dessert, but there was no pressure, because we're all guys and we mostly focused on our food, haha. The lesson actually went really well. I mostly(with Elder Grant's help, of course) taught her son, because she already knows everything. We talked about the plan of salvation. Elder Jepsen and I had started a drawing of it with her and I went over it with him and then finished it. He had some questons, but I answered them pretty well. I was kinda nervous, but when I would look up, Gabriella would be beaming at me. Then at one point she said, doesn't he speak so well, he just got here in March and listen to him. That pretty much made my whole week. It was an awesome lesson.
We started up Outreach again, the game night every week for youth. It was cancelled for a little bit, because no one was coming, but tons of things worked out all at once and tons of people came. It was super fun! We had ping pong, card games, board games and then a movie, Miracle actually, a classic. One big help was that Cami, a young member girl, just got back from Italy and she brought a bunch of people with her to the activity. Hopefully, all of the activities will be better from now on. It will make a big difference in the work.
Sunday was pretty sweet. It was branch conference and Elder Facer, a senior missionary from the office, spoke. He said some weird stuff, like to show your faith you need to have a quiver full of children, aka 12 kids! But it was a good talk. Elder Garrett was there, too. It was cool to see him.
Well, that was a pretty huge update on the week. Hope you like it! Thanks for all of your emails. They were great, as always. S, what the flip is WEB?? lol. Well, good luck with it. And thanks for your email, it was way good. Dad, you're making me jealous with all your talk of the temple! That is definitely one thing I will not take for granted when I get home. That is a really good goal, to go once a week. I'm sure you'll be blessed for making that a reality. Thanks for the reminder, Dad, I actually have been reading my patriarchal blessing a lot. It's been a huge strength for me.
Yeah, Mom, the temperature has been a lot better. It has been raining every once in a while and that keeps things cool. And yeah, I think the branch will pick up again soon, too. I think school starts for them about the middle of September. I forgot to mention it, but President Munteanu gave a talk on Sunday on how the members need to step it up. It was really intense and really good. Hopefully, that pumps the members a little. Thanks for your support and also for the I Know.
Have a great week, all you wonderful people. I love you!!
--Elder Ross
P.S. A german dad and his daughter are sitting in front of me right now. I want to learn german super bad, it sounds so cool! at this point I hardly understand anything...
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
From a missionary mom
This past week I received the following from another missionary mom:
By the way, my son Elder Waters speaks highly of your son. I think that they have been on splits together. They are having awonderful experience there, serving and teaching the people. I know my son has said that the members do not know the basic principles of the gospel and that they are reteaching the members the plan of salvation andrestoration. They have plenty of opportunity to serve in leadership positions, teaching, playing the piano, blessing the sacrament, giving talks. It is a great growing experience for them.
I look forward to Mondays to get my email. I love hearing about my son's experiences for the week. It is a spiritual shot in the arm for ourfamily.
By the way, my son Elder Waters speaks highly of your son. I think that they have been on splits together. They are having awonderful experience there, serving and teaching the people. I know my son has said that the members do not know the basic principles of the gospel and that they are reteaching the members the plan of salvation andrestoration. They have plenty of opportunity to serve in leadership positions, teaching, playing the piano, blessing the sacrament, giving talks. It is a great growing experience for them.
I look forward to Mondays to get my email. I love hearing about my son's experiences for the week. It is a spiritual shot in the arm for ourfamily.
A Different Outlook
Dear Wonderful People,
This last week has been odd. The work hasn't really gone any better and I have come to a different outlook on the world. Lol, I don't really know how to explain, but don't worry, I am doing really good right now. I'm just really grateful for the really good, easy life that I've had. I think I've lost a little bit of the of the rosy outlook I used to have on the world. It is seriously one messed up place and there is so much pain, heartache, sin, and wickedness. At first that seemed a little overwhelming to me, as I started to realize this. Satan is dang good at what he does. As I watch people I pass while I ride the tramvai, I don't see very much happiness. I guess I'm starting to realize how real this fight against the adversary is. But then I think about all the amazing people(you guys!) back home and I know that there is a lot of good in the world, too, even a lot of it isn't in Romania.
I've seen a lot of people falling and losing faith and not a lot of the other way around, where they find faith and hope. Like a lot of members with word of wisdom problems. Or people suffering because of others, like hardly any women in the branch have decent husbands. Some drink a lot, some beat them, some live with other women. And Sora Nett (i don't know how we got on this topic) was telling us some really messed up stuff that happened to her while she was at BYU. Not like stuff that happened with her, but things she saw, and Satan even nails tons of people in Utah and at the Lord's University!
Lol, ok, that's been kind of depressing, but I don't feel depressed at all. I'm starting to learn now more than ever that's it's all about people. All of you amazing people in my life mean more to me than anything else in the world and it's for the those kind of people that I'm out here working. Satan works hard, too, but he's going to lose in the end. I'm even more determined now to work harder and just get one person to find the peace and pure happiness that comes from joining the Lord's Church. I know He is with me and that helps me to keep going. If I find that one person, then I'll look for another. My work will never be done, not even after two years.
I really am super grateful for the life I've been given and for my amazing family. Thanks for the pictures of the reunion, it was great to see everyone. A lot of missionaries come from families that are torn or where there isn't a lot of love and I can honestly say that I love my family so much, both of you, Mom and Dad, and every single one of you siblings. I have super good friends, too. I can't wait to hear from P and hopefully he gets his papers in soon. I am one super lucky guy to have so many people who care so much about me and have given me the best life in the world. Hopefully I find others soon who I can share the gospel (the truest happiness) with.
Andy and Gabriella are still doing super well and by far are the most faithful people we work with, even over the members! Gabriella is going to get baptized either mid-september or the end of september, she doesn't want to set the date until she gets back from her son's wedding. That will be so cool, even though I probably won't be here. And Andy is still always willing to help us and to grow in the gospel. We've started a study program with him where he reads 2 chapters from the book of mormon every day and we do, too, along with him. I call him every night to follow-up and it is helping him a lot. He's never read it straight through, so it will be a really good experience for him.
Well, despite what you may think, I am doing really well and I am super happy, even if the branch is falling down around me, lol. We had about 13 members at church(we used to have 35!) I'm just going to keep doing my best and that's all I can do. And of course I'm going to stay super grateful for the many, many blessings I have! Mostly, the wonderful people in my life. But also because I get to be a missionary, i'm healthy, I have a good companion and many other things.
J - Thanks a lot for the email! Man, you are right, life is super delicate. I can't believe what happened to [a hs friend]. I hope he recovers alright. And [another hs friend who recently drowned in the ocean], I remember him. I'm so glad I know all about the Plan of Salvation, it's a huge comfort. Sounds like you've been working way hard. Nice job! Keep it up.
S - Sounds like girls camp was tight. The play, too. I heard that you are a way good babysitter. Good work! You whip those kids into shape! Lol, you making any money from it? Well, thanks for writing me, it's always great to hear from you!
Mom and Dad - Thanks for writing me every week! Your letters are super good, too. Some of the others were saying they don't get very good emails, but I always do. You update me well too, on what is going. Thanks so much, I love you guys!
Well, everyone I need to hurry and write President his email, I forgot! Have a wonderful week. I love you!
--Elder Ross
This last week has been odd. The work hasn't really gone any better and I have come to a different outlook on the world. Lol, I don't really know how to explain, but don't worry, I am doing really good right now. I'm just really grateful for the really good, easy life that I've had. I think I've lost a little bit of the of the rosy outlook I used to have on the world. It is seriously one messed up place and there is so much pain, heartache, sin, and wickedness. At first that seemed a little overwhelming to me, as I started to realize this. Satan is dang good at what he does. As I watch people I pass while I ride the tramvai, I don't see very much happiness. I guess I'm starting to realize how real this fight against the adversary is. But then I think about all the amazing people(you guys!) back home and I know that there is a lot of good in the world, too, even a lot of it isn't in Romania.
I've seen a lot of people falling and losing faith and not a lot of the other way around, where they find faith and hope. Like a lot of members with word of wisdom problems. Or people suffering because of others, like hardly any women in the branch have decent husbands. Some drink a lot, some beat them, some live with other women. And Sora Nett (i don't know how we got on this topic) was telling us some really messed up stuff that happened to her while she was at BYU. Not like stuff that happened with her, but things she saw, and Satan even nails tons of people in Utah and at the Lord's University!
Lol, ok, that's been kind of depressing, but I don't feel depressed at all. I'm starting to learn now more than ever that's it's all about people. All of you amazing people in my life mean more to me than anything else in the world and it's for the those kind of people that I'm out here working. Satan works hard, too, but he's going to lose in the end. I'm even more determined now to work harder and just get one person to find the peace and pure happiness that comes from joining the Lord's Church. I know He is with me and that helps me to keep going. If I find that one person, then I'll look for another. My work will never be done, not even after two years.
I really am super grateful for the life I've been given and for my amazing family. Thanks for the pictures of the reunion, it was great to see everyone. A lot of missionaries come from families that are torn or where there isn't a lot of love and I can honestly say that I love my family so much, both of you, Mom and Dad, and every single one of you siblings. I have super good friends, too. I can't wait to hear from P and hopefully he gets his papers in soon. I am one super lucky guy to have so many people who care so much about me and have given me the best life in the world. Hopefully I find others soon who I can share the gospel (the truest happiness) with.
Andy and Gabriella are still doing super well and by far are the most faithful people we work with, even over the members! Gabriella is going to get baptized either mid-september or the end of september, she doesn't want to set the date until she gets back from her son's wedding. That will be so cool, even though I probably won't be here. And Andy is still always willing to help us and to grow in the gospel. We've started a study program with him where he reads 2 chapters from the book of mormon every day and we do, too, along with him. I call him every night to follow-up and it is helping him a lot. He's never read it straight through, so it will be a really good experience for him.
Well, despite what you may think, I am doing really well and I am super happy, even if the branch is falling down around me, lol. We had about 13 members at church(we used to have 35!) I'm just going to keep doing my best and that's all I can do. And of course I'm going to stay super grateful for the many, many blessings I have! Mostly, the wonderful people in my life. But also because I get to be a missionary, i'm healthy, I have a good companion and many other things.
J - Thanks a lot for the email! Man, you are right, life is super delicate. I can't believe what happened to [a hs friend]. I hope he recovers alright. And [another hs friend who recently drowned in the ocean], I remember him. I'm so glad I know all about the Plan of Salvation, it's a huge comfort. Sounds like you've been working way hard. Nice job! Keep it up.
S - Sounds like girls camp was tight. The play, too. I heard that you are a way good babysitter. Good work! You whip those kids into shape! Lol, you making any money from it? Well, thanks for writing me, it's always great to hear from you!
Mom and Dad - Thanks for writing me every week! Your letters are super good, too. Some of the others were saying they don't get very good emails, but I always do. You update me well too, on what is going. Thanks so much, I love you guys!
Well, everyone I need to hurry and write President his email, I forgot! Have a wonderful week. I love you!
--Elder Ross
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