Hey Wonderful People!
This last week was amazing! It was a week set apart by our zone leaders in which to work extra hard and get done all that we possible could. They called it "Ninja Turtle Week." We had a lot of success and it was shown in our weekly numbers. Even though numbers aren't the important thing, people are, it was good to make almost all of our goals(which we had set really high) and come really close on the others.
We are teaching the coolest family in the whole world!! The family of the guy that stopped us last night. This week we tried to go back on Friday and we met him, but he had an emergency at work and had to leave. He told us to go and talk to his wife, but when we went there she was the only one home and so we couldn't have a lesson, because of the rules with that. But the kids were all outside the bloc playing and we talked to them for a while. Then yesterday morning we went to their house and went with them to church. Btw, the husband and wife are Sebastian and Monica and the kids are David, Tina and Andrada. Almost right away David grabbed my hand and held it all the way to the church. Then Tina grabbed my other hand. Elder Wright said it was a really cool scene to look out the window and see us walking up with this great family, while we're all holding hands. They only stayed for the first hour, but they really enjoyed it. The kids loved it too and as soon as they got home, Monica told me later, they asked when they were going to go again. Then last night we had a really good lesson with them, and one of Sebastian's friends, and gave them a Book of Mormon. It was so cool, they are a bomb family! President Popovici gave them a personal invitation to a branch picnic this Saturday and they really want to come. I'm sooo excited! It was the perfect end to a really great week!
And guess what?!? Gabriella got baptized yesterday!! Woohoo! Elder Woodhouse called me Saturday night and told me, then I called Gabriella last night. She is incredible, it was good to talk to her. Sounds like Timisoara is doing really good. A younger girl got baptized, too, Didona. I don't know if I ever wrote anything about her. It's great to see the work progressing. I think all of Romania might be getting close to breaking out. A lot of places are starting to pick up.
Not a whole lot else happened, we just worked hard. English is pretty good. I invited some of our students to our sport activity and four of them came. That was pretty sweet. We played capture the flag, except that you don't tag people. Everyone has a ball with flour(cut-up nylons with flour in them) and you're out when someone hits you. It was way fun and we had about 20 people there. That's a really good turnout.
Man, this transfer has gone by so fast! Next week we get transfer calls. I really have no idea what will happen. I'm really hoping that I stay here. It could be me or Elder Platt or we could stay together for another one. Or I could train or I could go District Leader or I could stay normal senior. It's crazy, either a lot could happen or absolutely nothing could happen. We'll find out next week.
Whoa, that's crazy about J's leg. I hope it gets better soon. That's cool that more colleges are starting to pay attention. Keep me updated.
I won't lie, as my mission has gone along, it has been harder and harder to write good emails. Sorry! It seriously feels like I'm always here at internet writing letters, like all the weeks blend. It's hard to have the motivation to write well. Hope I do alright. Thanks a lot for the updates on the family, from Mom's work, J's football, the little kids' soccer, S's activities, Dad's working hard, everything.
Oh, thanks for asking. I am good on clothes and socks. Just g's. My church shoes(normal shoes for me) are doing alright. My pday shoes are pretty worn, but it'll be a lot easier to get a pair here. Ok, I'm done, I need to go now.
You guys are awesome! I love you all! Have a great one!
-- Elder Ross
Monday, September 24, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Street contacts and teaching families
Hey Everyone,
This has been a pretty decent week. Because of zone conference and travel times, we didn't get as much done, but that's alright. We have spent some time both in the blocs and on the streets contacting. On the street, it is different with everyone person. Sometimes I try to talk about any number of gospel topics(having more joy and direction in life, the Book of Mormon, a prophet today, etc) or talk about Outreach or about english courses. We've had some success, too.
On Saturday, we decided to street contact in between our english classes, which we've never done before. We ended up meeting a guy, talked to him for a little bit, showed him the church and then he came the next day and stayed all 3 hours of services! We're meeting him tonight and giving him a book of mormon. Then yesterday on our way to the blocs, a guy stopped us. At first I thought he was just saying crap to us because he didn't talk until we were almost past him(a lot of people make fun of us and swear at us) and I almost kept walking, but for some reason, well, probably the Spirit, I stopped. We talked to him for a little bit, then went with him to his house. He has a beautiful family; a wife and three kids. That is rare! The lesson went really well and he really wants to bring his whole family to church! I'm super excited! We're going to meet with them probably Thursday and give them a Book of Mormon. Then the last door we knocked last night, a guy opened the and said he was really busy, but really wanted to meet with us. So we gave him a pamphlet and got his number and info and he has 3 or 4 kids too! Craziness. So we have a lot of people we could really work out. Oh and on our way home last night 8 people contacted us! I don't know why, but yesterday was blessed.
Ok, my companion, Elder Platt. He's 19, hasn't gone to college yet, a huge paintballer. He actually did a ton of tournaments and made about $13,000 in the last season. Nuts, huh? He's a good guy, very willing to do the work and cares about the people. The senior couple here is pretty cool. They feed us once a week, too.
The branch leaders are great, especially the branch president, Popovici and the branch mission leader, Petru. They are way funny, especially when they make fun of each other. This is a pretty good branch, it functions well. I didn't have to do any translating this last Sunday, but I wish I could have. I helped Sora Rapley, though, when she did it in Sunday School.
Man, what studs! A and W scoring goals and E being a brick wall! That's way impressive. What athletes! And Aaron passed the bar, that is impressive. I'm sure that is a really nice relief after a lot of hard work! Man, a transcript release, huh? That's sweet that a couple of colleges are looking at J. That's sweet!
Dang, I can't believe Dane is coming home! It doesn't seem that long ago since he left. Of course I still feel like I've only been out a couple of months tops. Tell him hi for me. He was always a great example for me.
Thanks for the emails J and S! That prank was hilarious, haha. Can you send me the video?! [Ask J or email us and when we get it on a site, we will send the link.] That would be sweet! Sounds like things are going good, S. That's the perfect attitude for sports. Just have fun and get better and don't be too serious. And that was a really good poem. I liked it a lot! Can't wait to hear more from you guys.
Thanks a ton, Mom! You are amazing! I love you!
Thanks everyone for all that you do and all of your support. I am a super lucky guy and I have a way awesome life. I can't complain. This next week, Elder Platt and I are calling Bomb Week or Week of Miracles. We're going to tear it up hardcore. I hope you all have a great week, too. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
This has been a pretty decent week. Because of zone conference and travel times, we didn't get as much done, but that's alright. We have spent some time both in the blocs and on the streets contacting. On the street, it is different with everyone person. Sometimes I try to talk about any number of gospel topics(having more joy and direction in life, the Book of Mormon, a prophet today, etc) or talk about Outreach or about english courses. We've had some success, too.
On Saturday, we decided to street contact in between our english classes, which we've never done before. We ended up meeting a guy, talked to him for a little bit, showed him the church and then he came the next day and stayed all 3 hours of services! We're meeting him tonight and giving him a book of mormon. Then yesterday on our way to the blocs, a guy stopped us. At first I thought he was just saying crap to us because he didn't talk until we were almost past him(a lot of people make fun of us and swear at us) and I almost kept walking, but for some reason, well, probably the Spirit, I stopped. We talked to him for a little bit, then went with him to his house. He has a beautiful family; a wife and three kids. That is rare! The lesson went really well and he really wants to bring his whole family to church! I'm super excited! We're going to meet with them probably Thursday and give them a Book of Mormon. Then the last door we knocked last night, a guy opened the and said he was really busy, but really wanted to meet with us. So we gave him a pamphlet and got his number and info and he has 3 or 4 kids too! Craziness. So we have a lot of people we could really work out. Oh and on our way home last night 8 people contacted us! I don't know why, but yesterday was blessed.
Ok, my companion, Elder Platt. He's 19, hasn't gone to college yet, a huge paintballer. He actually did a ton of tournaments and made about $13,000 in the last season. Nuts, huh? He's a good guy, very willing to do the work and cares about the people. The senior couple here is pretty cool. They feed us once a week, too.
The branch leaders are great, especially the branch president, Popovici and the branch mission leader, Petru. They are way funny, especially when they make fun of each other. This is a pretty good branch, it functions well. I didn't have to do any translating this last Sunday, but I wish I could have. I helped Sora Rapley, though, when she did it in Sunday School.
Man, what studs! A and W scoring goals and E being a brick wall! That's way impressive. What athletes! And Aaron passed the bar, that is impressive. I'm sure that is a really nice relief after a lot of hard work! Man, a transcript release, huh? That's sweet that a couple of colleges are looking at J. That's sweet!
Dang, I can't believe Dane is coming home! It doesn't seem that long ago since he left. Of course I still feel like I've only been out a couple of months tops. Tell him hi for me. He was always a great example for me.
Thanks for the emails J and S! That prank was hilarious, haha. Can you send me the video?! [Ask J or email us and when we get it on a site, we will send the link.] That would be sweet! Sounds like things are going good, S. That's the perfect attitude for sports. Just have fun and get better and don't be too serious. And that was a really good poem. I liked it a lot! Can't wait to hear more from you guys.
Thanks a ton, Mom! You are amazing! I love you!
Thanks everyone for all that you do and all of your support. I am a super lucky guy and I have a way awesome life. I can't complain. This next week, Elder Platt and I are calling Bomb Week or Week of Miracles. We're going to tear it up hardcore. I hope you all have a great week, too. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
Thursday, September 13, 2007
This week has been really good!
Hey Everyone!
This week has been really good and, as you guessed Mom, we had zone conference. The conference was awesome and I learned a lot of things about how I can be a better missionary. I think I started to get into a pattern and was doing things just to do them, but I've been jolted out of that and am focusing more on following the Spirit and stretching myself.
For example we talked a lot about contacting people throughout the day, not just going from one lesson to another, but to be finding people all the time. Then President sent us outside in the middle of the conference to go street contact for an hour and a half. I went with Elder Selck (my dad!) and it was awesome! We had a different attitude about it and had a lot of success. We only had time to contact about 15 people in that time because we had about 6 lessons from it. That is amazingly good! I learned a lot, too, from Elder Selck and how he teaches. He gets to know the people instead of just launching into a presentation, and then tailor makes a lesson on the spot for them. It's sweet and I've tried to do that more and it makes a huge difference. Elder Platt and I contacted yesterday for just a half an hour or so and got 3 lessons! So, pretty much zone conference was sweet and I learned a lot.
The conference was in Chisinau(in Moldova), which was awesome! We got to see a bit of the city and it's really cool. Transportation was horrible, though, I mean getting to and from Chisinau. To get there we took a Maxi Taxi, a van packed full of people and it was a 4 hour ride! I couldn't even sit facing straight, because my knees would hit the seat in front of me. It was one of the worst experiences of my life, lol. But seriously. Then on the way back, we took a bus. I had more room, but the first three hours were on really bumpy, windy roads and I spent the whole time on the brink of throwing up. Anyway, now I'm back in Iasi and I'm glad to be here and get back to work.
Well, we still don't have too many investigators, but there are a lot of people that we are hoping become investigators. People we've met, but haven't had two lessons with yet. I made about 10 to 15 calls last night and we have a few lessons set up so we'll see what happens. Something super exciting is that our bomb investigator Nicu is set up for baptism now! His date is the 7th of October, the first Sunday of next transfer...I better not get transferred! And then, his wife got back from Italy and her and his son all came to church on Sunday. Yay! Hopefully we can start working with her, too. We'll find out. We have a lesson with him today.
Not a whole lot else is new. The BYU girls are here now. It's actually way fun, because I get to do a ton of translating and I love it. I'm not too good, because I'm still new at it, but it's just a lot of fun for me. Man, last week I got pulled in Relief Society! They were talking about food storage and so that was way hard to translate and I didn't know what was going on half the time. The BYU girls just told me it didn't matter too much, so when I didn't understand I would just talk to them and say really random stuff and then the romanians thought I was translating what they said. It was super funny.
J, sounds like you did super well at the last game. That's sweet! Nice, too, on how getting a good rep with ladies AND their dads! lol. Keep tearing it up.
Sounds like things are going really well back home. The little ones are playing soccer, going to school and growing up. That's really sweet that W said that he was Ross-sick. I miss you, too, buddy! Christmas isn't too far away and then I can talk to all of you! Btw, I'm glad you were so sensitive to E's needs at the football game, Dad, haha. That was really funny and I know E did alright. He's a tough kid. Mom, that is awesome about your business and how it is succeeding with this huge project. I can't wait to hear more as it progresses. Also, that sounds like a great idea, having the students learn and teach from Preach My Gospel. I don't really have any ideas, just to make it a real role-play, with someone as an investigator. And they have to remember to teach it really simply because that person has never heard any of this before.
Well, I should go. I love you all! Have a great, even fantastic week!
--Elder Ross
This week has been really good and, as you guessed Mom, we had zone conference. The conference was awesome and I learned a lot of things about how I can be a better missionary. I think I started to get into a pattern and was doing things just to do them, but I've been jolted out of that and am focusing more on following the Spirit and stretching myself.
For example we talked a lot about contacting people throughout the day, not just going from one lesson to another, but to be finding people all the time. Then President sent us outside in the middle of the conference to go street contact for an hour and a half. I went with Elder Selck (my dad!) and it was awesome! We had a different attitude about it and had a lot of success. We only had time to contact about 15 people in that time because we had about 6 lessons from it. That is amazingly good! I learned a lot, too, from Elder Selck and how he teaches. He gets to know the people instead of just launching into a presentation, and then tailor makes a lesson on the spot for them. It's sweet and I've tried to do that more and it makes a huge difference. Elder Platt and I contacted yesterday for just a half an hour or so and got 3 lessons! So, pretty much zone conference was sweet and I learned a lot.
The conference was in Chisinau(in Moldova), which was awesome! We got to see a bit of the city and it's really cool. Transportation was horrible, though, I mean getting to and from Chisinau. To get there we took a Maxi Taxi, a van packed full of people and it was a 4 hour ride! I couldn't even sit facing straight, because my knees would hit the seat in front of me. It was one of the worst experiences of my life, lol. But seriously. Then on the way back, we took a bus. I had more room, but the first three hours were on really bumpy, windy roads and I spent the whole time on the brink of throwing up. Anyway, now I'm back in Iasi and I'm glad to be here and get back to work.
Well, we still don't have too many investigators, but there are a lot of people that we are hoping become investigators. People we've met, but haven't had two lessons with yet. I made about 10 to 15 calls last night and we have a few lessons set up so we'll see what happens. Something super exciting is that our bomb investigator Nicu is set up for baptism now! His date is the 7th of October, the first Sunday of next transfer...I better not get transferred! And then, his wife got back from Italy and her and his son all came to church on Sunday. Yay! Hopefully we can start working with her, too. We'll find out. We have a lesson with him today.
Not a whole lot else is new. The BYU girls are here now. It's actually way fun, because I get to do a ton of translating and I love it. I'm not too good, because I'm still new at it, but it's just a lot of fun for me. Man, last week I got pulled in Relief Society! They were talking about food storage and so that was way hard to translate and I didn't know what was going on half the time. The BYU girls just told me it didn't matter too much, so when I didn't understand I would just talk to them and say really random stuff and then the romanians thought I was translating what they said. It was super funny.
J, sounds like you did super well at the last game. That's sweet! Nice, too, on how getting a good rep with ladies AND their dads! lol. Keep tearing it up.
Sounds like things are going really well back home. The little ones are playing soccer, going to school and growing up. That's really sweet that W said that he was Ross-sick. I miss you, too, buddy! Christmas isn't too far away and then I can talk to all of you! Btw, I'm glad you were so sensitive to E's needs at the football game, Dad, haha. That was really funny and I know E did alright. He's a tough kid. Mom, that is awesome about your business and how it is succeeding with this huge project. I can't wait to hear more as it progresses. Also, that sounds like a great idea, having the students learn and teach from Preach My Gospel. I don't really have any ideas, just to make it a real role-play, with someone as an investigator. And they have to remember to teach it really simply because that person has never heard any of this before.
Well, I should go. I love you all! Have a great, even fantastic week!
--Elder Ross
Monday, September 3, 2007
Ok, ok, sorry! I forgot to tell you my new address. [Contact me!] I look forward to getting letters!!!
And I got the package! [A package brought to Romania by friends, which included his birthday present.] Thank you, it had a lot of things I needed. And thanks for the present....it wasn't wrapped separately so I saw it when I opened the box. Whoops! Well, now that I know what it is, I may as well use it. Thanks a lot! It's really nice. The one problem is that I don't know how to put more music on it.
Well, hope everyone had a great last week. It seems like it. Mine was really good. We are starting to learn the city and more importantly to know the members and investigators a lot better. I am really starting to fall in love with these people. I think a lot of it is because I'm senior now and I'm the main person they talk to and that understands them. It's awesome! I can't believe, either, how fast this week went. It seriously feels like I was here writing you yesterday. Time goes sooo fast! And today is my 8th month mark, craziness! I just started my mission and it is 1/3 over already! That is a way weird thought to me.
Well, we have a lot of English here in Iasi. Elder Platt and I have 3 classes on Saturday and another one on Tuesday. And people actually come! It runs a lot better here than in Timisoara. Teaching classes is great, I really like to have fun with my classes and joke around with them.
I've learned a couple things about myself since this transfer started. One is that I am just super laid back. Like I didn't stress out when I went senior and when stuff happens, I just think, well, if I can't do anything about it, why worry. I'd like to think that I work hard, but I also know how to have fun, just like President Trone(i think it was him) said. The other thing is that I am just really easy to get along with and I get along really easily with others. I was talking to Elder Magleby last night about all the companions I've had and he pointed that out to me, like it seems like I just get along with others. I never really thought about that before. Pretty cool, lol.
Dad- Thanks for the sport update, with the high school and with BYU. I look forward to hearing about both throughout the season. Thanks for always being such a good example,Dad. I love you- You have your priorities so straight and you know what needs to be done and you do it. I think diligence is one of many things you've really taught me. I love you.
Mom- Thanks for your support. I really am loving being senior. I dreaded it at first, but now I love it. It brings a lot of new opportunities to grow. I went from Timisoara, where all the missionaries spoke really well and I was on the lower end, but now I realize that I know the language well,we all did in Timisoara, and they pushed me to grow. Now I'm in Iasi and I speak better than everyone, except for Sora Beck. I really am not trying to brag, but I love how the Lord put me in the best situation so that I could grow. I worked really hard at the language(still do, of course) in Timisoara because I wanted to be at the same level as the others and I've been really blessed. Man, it's awesome! Anyway, thanks for always being amazing, Mom. It's true, boys don't realize how great their moms are until they are away from them, out of the house. Hopefully I didn't cause you too many problems at home! ; ) I love you!
J - Yeah, you stud! Sounds like you just ran all over the field, doing whatever you wanted. That's way tight about the radio interview, too. I'm not surprised your talk was super good. I bet it was sweet and that is a really cool quote. Nice! More than one pair of pants. Glad to hear you've stepped it up this year, lol. Don't forget to dominate at school, too.
S - Aww, and you are an amazing sister, lol. I'm sure that's gotta be nice to not have to babysit the kids as much now with school starting. Call me a nerd, but I miss school. It was great to be back in college, but of course I'm glad I'm not there now. Good luck with it1!
E - That is a sweet comment! "Well, I pretty much dominated in marbles." Haha. I love you, E.
You are a champion. Have fun dominating soccer, too!
A - Hey, are you excited for school? Sounds like you got a sweet shirt. [It says "My brother drives me bananas."] Do I drive you bananas, too? Are you excited to be in the same class as A? You two can terrorize class together! Jk! Have fun and learn lots!
W - Hey buddy, happy birthday!! Are you 5 now? That's sweet, a whole hand! Ok, just kidding, you're 7 now! Man, you're big! Are you as tall as me yet? I'm glad you got a bunch of sweet presents. And good bunch not forgetting the missionaries. They love to be included in things like that. Have a great week, stud!
Those distribution items sound like some good things to send around the holidays. Not the Book of Mormon stories, though, because those(and New T and Old T and D&C) are available here.
That's really cool that you had K over and got to see pictures of the city and the members.
Oh, and tell P I will write him letter really quick, in the next couple of days. Good to hear he's way close to sending in his papers. That's super exciting!
Well, everyone, you are amazing! Have a great week. I love you!
--Your Favorite Elder, Ross
And I got the package! [A package brought to Romania by friends, which included his birthday present.] Thank you, it had a lot of things I needed. And thanks for the present....it wasn't wrapped separately so I saw it when I opened the box. Whoops! Well, now that I know what it is, I may as well use it. Thanks a lot! It's really nice. The one problem is that I don't know how to put more music on it.
Well, hope everyone had a great last week. It seems like it. Mine was really good. We are starting to learn the city and more importantly to know the members and investigators a lot better. I am really starting to fall in love with these people. I think a lot of it is because I'm senior now and I'm the main person they talk to and that understands them. It's awesome! I can't believe, either, how fast this week went. It seriously feels like I was here writing you yesterday. Time goes sooo fast! And today is my 8th month mark, craziness! I just started my mission and it is 1/3 over already! That is a way weird thought to me.
Well, we have a lot of English here in Iasi. Elder Platt and I have 3 classes on Saturday and another one on Tuesday. And people actually come! It runs a lot better here than in Timisoara. Teaching classes is great, I really like to have fun with my classes and joke around with them.
I've learned a couple things about myself since this transfer started. One is that I am just super laid back. Like I didn't stress out when I went senior and when stuff happens, I just think, well, if I can't do anything about it, why worry. I'd like to think that I work hard, but I also know how to have fun, just like President Trone(i think it was him) said. The other thing is that I am just really easy to get along with and I get along really easily with others. I was talking to Elder Magleby last night about all the companions I've had and he pointed that out to me, like it seems like I just get along with others. I never really thought about that before. Pretty cool, lol.
Dad- Thanks for the sport update, with the high school and with BYU. I look forward to hearing about both throughout the season. Thanks for always being such a good example,Dad. I love you- You have your priorities so straight and you know what needs to be done and you do it. I think diligence is one of many things you've really taught me. I love you.
Mom- Thanks for your support. I really am loving being senior. I dreaded it at first, but now I love it. It brings a lot of new opportunities to grow. I went from Timisoara, where all the missionaries spoke really well and I was on the lower end, but now I realize that I know the language well,we all did in Timisoara, and they pushed me to grow. Now I'm in Iasi and I speak better than everyone, except for Sora Beck. I really am not trying to brag, but I love how the Lord put me in the best situation so that I could grow. I worked really hard at the language(still do, of course) in Timisoara because I wanted to be at the same level as the others and I've been really blessed. Man, it's awesome! Anyway, thanks for always being amazing, Mom. It's true, boys don't realize how great their moms are until they are away from them, out of the house. Hopefully I didn't cause you too many problems at home! ; ) I love you!
J - Yeah, you stud! Sounds like you just ran all over the field, doing whatever you wanted. That's way tight about the radio interview, too. I'm not surprised your talk was super good. I bet it was sweet and that is a really cool quote. Nice! More than one pair of pants. Glad to hear you've stepped it up this year, lol. Don't forget to dominate at school, too.
S - Aww, and you are an amazing sister, lol. I'm sure that's gotta be nice to not have to babysit the kids as much now with school starting. Call me a nerd, but I miss school. It was great to be back in college, but of course I'm glad I'm not there now. Good luck with it1!
E - That is a sweet comment! "Well, I pretty much dominated in marbles." Haha. I love you, E.
You are a champion. Have fun dominating soccer, too!
A - Hey, are you excited for school? Sounds like you got a sweet shirt. [It says "My brother drives me bananas."] Do I drive you bananas, too? Are you excited to be in the same class as A? You two can terrorize class together! Jk! Have fun and learn lots!
W - Hey buddy, happy birthday!! Are you 5 now? That's sweet, a whole hand! Ok, just kidding, you're 7 now! Man, you're big! Are you as tall as me yet? I'm glad you got a bunch of sweet presents. And good bunch not forgetting the missionaries. They love to be included in things like that. Have a great week, stud!
Those distribution items sound like some good things to send around the holidays. Not the Book of Mormon stories, though, because those(and New T and Old T and D&C) are available here.
That's really cool that you had K over and got to see pictures of the city and the members.
Oh, and tell P I will write him letter really quick, in the next couple of days. Good to hear he's way close to sending in his papers. That's super exciting!
Well, everyone, you are amazing! Have a great week. I love you!
--Your Favorite Elder, Ross
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