Hey Everyone!
This week was a really fun one! Like super fun! Not as much of the missionary work, but it was a blast and we definitely worked hard when we could. I'm probably just go through the week chronogically, because that's the way I could explain everything the best and not forget anything.
Last Monday was a pretty normal pday, though we had some cooking to do for Tuesday. We had a couple really good lessons before Family Home Evening. One with Diamanta, which is always good and then a bomb lesson with Adriana. It was so good! We talked a lot about baptism. She bore her testimony on church, reading, everything. I think she was a little surprised with how bold we were, so she doesn't have an actual date yet, but she is definitely ready and will have one in our next lesson. I'm way, way excited for that.
Tuesday was awesome! We started the day off with a lesson with Nicu. He is a stud and is doing really well. Then we went home, finished getting the food ready then headed over to the Wrights, where we had an incredible Thanksgiving dinner! We made some food, so did the other elders, so did the BYU girls, so did the Wrights. It was a feast! My companion made rolls that turned out well and I made a really huge and tasty apple pie. I'm really happy with how it turned out. It was a big hit. There was also turkey and stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, yams, seriously like 5 pies or something. My favorites were the stuffing, Danielle's walnut pie and of course my apple pie. Man, we were there for over 2 hours, then we had to go to english. It was kind of hard to teach, we were so stuffed, lol, but it was good. We taught them food words and about thanksgiving and how we'd eaten so much. Basically made them really jealous and hungry.
Wednesday was a normal day of missionary work. Nothing out of the ordinary there. We left that night for Bucharest where we rolled in at about 6 in the morning. We went to the office elders' place and showered. Then I dropped my companion off at the office to get his visa and went with Elders Wilson, Stinson(from my MTC group) and Campbell(Stinson's boy) to Elder Stroud's place so they could shower. After that we wandered around Buch forever. We had absolutely nothing to do. We thought the visas would be done by noon, but complications kept happenning and it kept getting pushed back. We went to a mall on one side of buch then traveled to one on the other side then went and saw casa poporului, the huge, huge building that Ciaucescu built. Finally, we just sat on a bench and dozed for a while, lol. Finally, we went to the chapel at Mihai Bravu. One of the zone conferences was that day and they had finished already so half the mission was there. It was super good to see so many friends and talk to them. That was awesome. They finished with the visas at like 5. After we'd chilled at Mihai Bravu for a while talking to people, we went to Ruby Tuesday's. I got some cheese sticks and a bacon cheeseburger. It was a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving :).
That night, Elder Hardman and I stayed with Elder Bringhurst. Elder Ribgy was also there(both of them are from my MTC group) and so was Elder Grant, he was in Timisoara with me if you remember. It was a fun night, but there were a total of 8 of us there and I had the floor. And the weirdest part is that of the 8 of us, me and the two from my MTC group were the oldest. We're getting up there in the mission.
Friday was zone conference. It was seriously amazing. Elder Kapishka(don't know how that is spelled), a 70 from Germany, spoke to us. I couldn't really explain through an email the stuff we learned or how much I learned, but I really loved how he focused on people and totally bashed focusing on numbers. Of course we still have numbers but he talked a lot about they become false accomplishments, how a missionary will work super hard and get 300 contacts in a week but he did absolutely nothing to bring someone to the waters of baptism and that is a fake victory. It was sweet. That night there was an activity at Mihai Bravu. We stayed for it because our train didn't leave until after 11. It was good. Elder Bringhurst talked about the history of Thanksgiving and then we made hand turkeys and wrote what we're thankful for. It was a really simple activity and not very many members came unfortuneately but it was good to hear someone from my MTC district speaking in Romanian. We've come a long way.
Saturday we got back into Iasi. It's always nice to be back in my city after being away in Buch. Of course it was my birthday as well. No one remembered for a while, though, not even my companion, lol. In my English class, Diamanta came and she remembered and told me happy birthday and gave me a tie. That was really awesome of her. She really is a great friend. My companion wasn't there when she gave it to me, so he still didn't realize. Really, I'm not saying because he's a bad guy. We had a lot of busy days with little sleep and they blended. I just think it's pretty funny he didn't remember at all. Btw, I got your two packages and one from Grandma J. They were all great to get. Thank you a ton! You guys are wonderful. So then we had sport. Some of the BYU girls were there, but none of them remembered, lol. Then we went to the vila to get our suits and change, and all of the BYU girls were there doing cleaning. Danielle, she wasn't at sport, remembered and told me happy birthday and it was really funny because that's when everyone else realized it was my birthday, including my companion. I ended up having to translate a long time for Elder Wright so after that we just went home, because we needed to have planning meeting. A couple people called me that night to wish me happy birthday, too. It was a good birthday, nothing too exciting but that's ok. Yesterday was good, too. We had some lessons that didn't go how we wanted, but it was alright. And that brings me to today, sitting at internet. Well, I am running late at internet. I need to go now. Sorry I didn't write more. Next week hopefully.
I love you all. You're the best! Have a good one.
--Elder Ross
p.s. you're brilliant S. Alina speaks english really well. I'll get her email. Remind me to give it to you next week.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Good Day!
Good Day Everyone!
Ok, no one says that in English, "good day", but everyone sure says it over here. It was great to get a lot of emails this week. I definitely have a huge base of support from you guys and it always keeps me up. It's not to be to be when I have such an amazing family, and also great friends.
My week was pretty good. We didn't have great numbers but we met with a lot of our investigators and also lots of members. Unfortunately, we weren't able to meet with Adriana throughout the whole week. That was really a bummer because she is the closest one to baptism and we are super close to challenging her. Like probably the next lesson. Of course we will listen to the Spirit, otherwise I would say, for sure we are challenging her. But we are meeting with her tonight so I'm pretty excited. We had a great lesson with Alina this week. We took Tanta, a member from Galati, with us and she was awesome. She clicked with Alina right away and they were calling each other friends after like 5 minutes. She is really close to baptism, too, I think. She loves the Book of Mormon and feels the Spirit when she reads it. She thinks it a sin to change religions and she doesn't like going to church, because she thinks it is boring. Beyond those two things, she is ready. She is praying about baptism a lot now and we talk about it everytime. We've become pretty good friends with her, too. She came to church this Sunday! She came because I was speaking and she wanted to support me. It was awesome to see her there. It's the first time for as long as I've been here that she's come.
Man, we also met with Gianina for the first time. It was pretty awesome, actually. She asked what she has to do to be baptized. I told she needs a testimony of Jesus Christ and a testimony of the Book of Mormon and then she can be baptized. We talked a lot about prayer and getting an answer so she's been working on that. We're definitely praying hard for her. We're meeting with her again on Wednesday and I think we'll do a lesson on the plan of salvation, focusing on the role of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm really excited, she's an awesome lady. We also met with Cristi and his wife, Nicoleta, this last week. Their problem has been the Word of Wisdom, but he told us on Wednesday that he's had it with smoking and that he is quitting for sure. They are a really solid couple and we are praying a lot for them, too. I guess we pray pretty hard for all of our investigators. They're all at different points with very different obstacles, but many of them are close. We have a transfer goal to have 2 baptisms and 5 baptismal dates. Those 5 being Adriana, Alina, Gianina, Cristi and Nicoleta. For the baptisms, Adriana and one other. We haven't decided yet. We're focusing hard on all 5, so we'll see. It's a super awesome outlook we have going on and miracles are going to happen, because this transfer goes right up to Christmas. It ends on the 26th, I think, so we are focusing on giving the Savior a gift. Man, I'm excited!
We have a pretty sweet week coming up. Well, today is P-day, so that's nice. A lot of it will be spent making some food for tomorrow, because that is when we are having Thanksgiving dinner. Our assignment is apple pie, rolls(i definitely can't make them like you, Mom!), and vegetables still to be decided. It will be with us, the other elders, the Wrights, the 5 BYU girls, and their professor and her son. So 13 total, a pretty good crowd. It will be great.
Wednesday night, my companion and I go down to Buch and Thursday morning he finally gets his visa. Then we'll meet up with the other elders(they're there because of mission council) and do exchanges there in Buch visiting all the members they know, because I've never served there and otherwise would have nothing to do. So Thanksiving day will be pretty good. I think we're going to go have dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. Friday we have zone conference. It will be half of the mission that day and the other half will have had it Thursday. Sometime in these two days I get a cell phone, too. Woo-hoo! Saturday morning(my birthday!) we get back, have english classes like normal and sport, have some lessons, do the missionary thing. I don't really know if my birthday will be anything special at all. Probably not, but that's ok. It's on a saturday, that's a fun day. I'll probably get packages from you guys when I'm in Buch, so that will be really good. That will make for a great birthday and just knowing you guys are thinking of me. So that's my week coming up.
Oh, yeah, so I spoke in church yesterday. I talked how we are converted by feeling the Spirit and these things usually come through prayer, reading the scriptures and coming to church. I thought it went really well and I spoke freely, without having everything written out. Definitely a lot better than the last time, which was back in my 3rd transfer, and now I'm in my 7th. Right after me, Danielle spoke and I translated for her. Her talk was absolutely amazing and I really liked it. The problem was that it was too good, she speaks very ...elegantly, I guess is the word. Translating was ridiculously hard and I didn't do very well. At least she was very appreciative of it, even I didn't do too hot. It was my first time translating for a speaker in sacrament and it was a hard one to start with, lol. But really her talk was awesome. I asked her if I could have it, so I'm going take some time and translate it and I will learn a lot by doing that and hopefully next time I translate a lot better. It was a good experience. I translated for her in Relief Society as well. That went better. Hard topic, kind of, all about delegating, but it went well and it's always pretty funny to be in Relief Society as the only guy. Lol, they are absolutely horrible singers. It's funny because they are way off and I'm like holding it together sometimes and I'm the only guy with all those women. I'm definitely not a great singer, though. I've lost a lot on my mission, I think, probably because the standard, the norm has dropped so much.
Yeah, it's getting pretty cold here in Iasi, but I'm handling it pretty well. I got a sweet coat with a furry hood. It's pretty hardcore. I'll probably need to send you a picture of it sometime. Yeah, I could use gloves and something for my ears, too. Not earmuffs, though, I don't like how they sit in my hair and mess it up, lol. P offered to send me these things and I said yeah, but I don't know if that ever happened. Check with him.
The last couple weeks we've played soccer for sport and it is super fun. This last week we had so many people that we had to make three teams and have one sit out while the other two played. It's really to nice to be able to do that and get some physical exercise. I definitely miss working out and being able to stay in shape. Like, I'm still in decent shape, but it's not the same and I've definitely lost muscle. It's impossible to keep it up as a missionary. Hopefully, we can keep doing sport for a while, but as it gets colder we probably will have to cancel it.
Yeah, I have a lot of fun cooking, but it really is so much more fun to make desserts than anything else. We use American cups and teaspoons, etc. We get a cookbook from the mission when we come into the country and it has a lot of good recipes. Most of what I make is just from that. Maybe I'll stretch myself oneday and actually make something besides dessert.
I haven't forgotten W needs a thumbs up picture. Hmm, I'm not exactly sure all what goes on here around Christmas. I know that it is three days long, the 25th to the 27th, and we got to watch lots of movies between Christmas and New Year's. It will be a really fun time, I'm sure and I can't wait. I'm sure it will be here before I know it, though.
Well, I should bounce. You guys are great and as J says, keep dominating life. Have an amazing week and I'll make sure mine is as well. I love you!
--Elder Ross
Ok, no one says that in English, "good day", but everyone sure says it over here. It was great to get a lot of emails this week. I definitely have a huge base of support from you guys and it always keeps me up. It's not to be to be when I have such an amazing family, and also great friends.
My week was pretty good. We didn't have great numbers but we met with a lot of our investigators and also lots of members. Unfortunately, we weren't able to meet with Adriana throughout the whole week. That was really a bummer because she is the closest one to baptism and we are super close to challenging her. Like probably the next lesson. Of course we will listen to the Spirit, otherwise I would say, for sure we are challenging her. But we are meeting with her tonight so I'm pretty excited. We had a great lesson with Alina this week. We took Tanta, a member from Galati, with us and she was awesome. She clicked with Alina right away and they were calling each other friends after like 5 minutes. She is really close to baptism, too, I think. She loves the Book of Mormon and feels the Spirit when she reads it. She thinks it a sin to change religions and she doesn't like going to church, because she thinks it is boring. Beyond those two things, she is ready. She is praying about baptism a lot now and we talk about it everytime. We've become pretty good friends with her, too. She came to church this Sunday! She came because I was speaking and she wanted to support me. It was awesome to see her there. It's the first time for as long as I've been here that she's come.
Man, we also met with Gianina for the first time. It was pretty awesome, actually. She asked what she has to do to be baptized. I told she needs a testimony of Jesus Christ and a testimony of the Book of Mormon and then she can be baptized. We talked a lot about prayer and getting an answer so she's been working on that. We're definitely praying hard for her. We're meeting with her again on Wednesday and I think we'll do a lesson on the plan of salvation, focusing on the role of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm really excited, she's an awesome lady. We also met with Cristi and his wife, Nicoleta, this last week. Their problem has been the Word of Wisdom, but he told us on Wednesday that he's had it with smoking and that he is quitting for sure. They are a really solid couple and we are praying a lot for them, too. I guess we pray pretty hard for all of our investigators. They're all at different points with very different obstacles, but many of them are close. We have a transfer goal to have 2 baptisms and 5 baptismal dates. Those 5 being Adriana, Alina, Gianina, Cristi and Nicoleta. For the baptisms, Adriana and one other. We haven't decided yet. We're focusing hard on all 5, so we'll see. It's a super awesome outlook we have going on and miracles are going to happen, because this transfer goes right up to Christmas. It ends on the 26th, I think, so we are focusing on giving the Savior a gift. Man, I'm excited!
We have a pretty sweet week coming up. Well, today is P-day, so that's nice. A lot of it will be spent making some food for tomorrow, because that is when we are having Thanksgiving dinner. Our assignment is apple pie, rolls(i definitely can't make them like you, Mom!), and vegetables still to be decided. It will be with us, the other elders, the Wrights, the 5 BYU girls, and their professor and her son. So 13 total, a pretty good crowd. It will be great.
Wednesday night, my companion and I go down to Buch and Thursday morning he finally gets his visa. Then we'll meet up with the other elders(they're there because of mission council) and do exchanges there in Buch visiting all the members they know, because I've never served there and otherwise would have nothing to do. So Thanksiving day will be pretty good. I think we're going to go have dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. Friday we have zone conference. It will be half of the mission that day and the other half will have had it Thursday. Sometime in these two days I get a cell phone, too. Woo-hoo! Saturday morning(my birthday!) we get back, have english classes like normal and sport, have some lessons, do the missionary thing. I don't really know if my birthday will be anything special at all. Probably not, but that's ok. It's on a saturday, that's a fun day. I'll probably get packages from you guys when I'm in Buch, so that will be really good. That will make for a great birthday and just knowing you guys are thinking of me. So that's my week coming up.
Oh, yeah, so I spoke in church yesterday. I talked how we are converted by feeling the Spirit and these things usually come through prayer, reading the scriptures and coming to church. I thought it went really well and I spoke freely, without having everything written out. Definitely a lot better than the last time, which was back in my 3rd transfer, and now I'm in my 7th. Right after me, Danielle spoke and I translated for her. Her talk was absolutely amazing and I really liked it. The problem was that it was too good, she speaks very ...elegantly, I guess is the word. Translating was ridiculously hard and I didn't do very well. At least she was very appreciative of it, even I didn't do too hot. It was my first time translating for a speaker in sacrament and it was a hard one to start with, lol. But really her talk was awesome. I asked her if I could have it, so I'm going take some time and translate it and I will learn a lot by doing that and hopefully next time I translate a lot better. It was a good experience. I translated for her in Relief Society as well. That went better. Hard topic, kind of, all about delegating, but it went well and it's always pretty funny to be in Relief Society as the only guy. Lol, they are absolutely horrible singers. It's funny because they are way off and I'm like holding it together sometimes and I'm the only guy with all those women. I'm definitely not a great singer, though. I've lost a lot on my mission, I think, probably because the standard, the norm has dropped so much.
Yeah, it's getting pretty cold here in Iasi, but I'm handling it pretty well. I got a sweet coat with a furry hood. It's pretty hardcore. I'll probably need to send you a picture of it sometime. Yeah, I could use gloves and something for my ears, too. Not earmuffs, though, I don't like how they sit in my hair and mess it up, lol. P offered to send me these things and I said yeah, but I don't know if that ever happened. Check with him.
The last couple weeks we've played soccer for sport and it is super fun. This last week we had so many people that we had to make three teams and have one sit out while the other two played. It's really to nice to be able to do that and get some physical exercise. I definitely miss working out and being able to stay in shape. Like, I'm still in decent shape, but it's not the same and I've definitely lost muscle. It's impossible to keep it up as a missionary. Hopefully, we can keep doing sport for a while, but as it gets colder we probably will have to cancel it.
Yeah, I have a lot of fun cooking, but it really is so much more fun to make desserts than anything else. We use American cups and teaspoons, etc. We get a cookbook from the mission when we come into the country and it has a lot of good recipes. Most of what I make is just from that. Maybe I'll stretch myself oneday and actually make something besides dessert.
I haven't forgotten W needs a thumbs up picture. Hmm, I'm not exactly sure all what goes on here around Christmas. I know that it is three days long, the 25th to the 27th, and we got to watch lots of movies between Christmas and New Year's. It will be a really fun time, I'm sure and I can't wait. I'm sure it will be here before I know it, though.
Well, I should bounce. You guys are great and as J says, keep dominating life. Have an amazing week and I'll make sure mine is as well. I love you!
--Elder Ross
Monday, November 12, 2007
I Know . . . How to Bring Joy to Christ
[Every so often, in my letters to Ross, I include a section called "I Know. . . " It gives me an opportunity to share my testimony about various aspect of the gospel. Here is the one he just referred to.]
I know . . . How to Bring Joy to Christ
You mentioned Christmas will be difficult for you being away from family. That is understandable, and normal. You have demonstrated the remedy for this many, many times on your mission – hard work and service. Just remember homesickness comes and goes. You will feel sadness at various times during this season; just know it eases, especially as you find creative ways to serve others.
There are times when I miss having you around, but I count my blessings that you are exactly where you should be; then I count the many wonderful blessings you are receiving and the family is receiving for your service.
Those first seven years in Oregon included some of the hardest trials in my life. There was a few times where I felt at the "gates of hell." But Dad and I kept putting one foot in front of the other with faith (sometimes very strained), hoping that the promised blessings would come. In the midst of this, about five years ago, during the week before Christmas, I was in the temple waiting for the next session. I picked up the scriptures and read. During the Christmas season, I often try to read about the Savior's visit in 3 rd Nephi so I resumed reading there. As I read one scripture, it pierced my heart with its truthfulness.
It is found in 3 Nephi 17 when Jesus prays for the people. After he arises, the joy of the people was so great they couldn't stand until after Christ bade them. Then, in verse 21, Christ said, "Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full."
Finances were among the fiercest challenges at the time. We were trying our hardest to follow promptings but there seemed to be no solutions at that time. Satan was working overtime to inhibit the growth of our eternal family. Reading that scripture, I realized that all Christ asked of me, of all of us, was faith. And if we give that to him, His joy is full.
It's simple. It's beautiful.
My heart was full that day knowing that my efforts were bringing great joy to my Savior. At the Christmas season, celebrating His birth, I knew I was giving Jesus the gift of joy.
As I have watched my children grow, I recognize that feeling. Knowing you are striving forward with faithfulness, I feel great joy. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truthfulness." (3 John1:4.)
During the next two months, know that what you are doing is bringing Christ great joy.
I know . . . How to Bring Joy to Christ
You mentioned Christmas will be difficult for you being away from family. That is understandable, and normal. You have demonstrated the remedy for this many, many times on your mission – hard work and service. Just remember homesickness comes and goes. You will feel sadness at various times during this season; just know it eases, especially as you find creative ways to serve others.
There are times when I miss having you around, but I count my blessings that you are exactly where you should be; then I count the many wonderful blessings you are receiving and the family is receiving for your service.
Those first seven years in Oregon included some of the hardest trials in my life. There was a few times where I felt at the "gates of hell." But Dad and I kept putting one foot in front of the other with faith (sometimes very strained), hoping that the promised blessings would come. In the midst of this, about five years ago, during the week before Christmas, I was in the temple waiting for the next session. I picked up the scriptures and read. During the Christmas season, I often try to read about the Savior's visit in 3 rd Nephi so I resumed reading there. As I read one scripture, it pierced my heart with its truthfulness.
It is found in 3 Nephi 17 when Jesus prays for the people. After he arises, the joy of the people was so great they couldn't stand until after Christ bade them. Then, in verse 21, Christ said, "Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full."
Finances were among the fiercest challenges at the time. We were trying our hardest to follow promptings but there seemed to be no solutions at that time. Satan was working overtime to inhibit the growth of our eternal family. Reading that scripture, I realized that all Christ asked of me, of all of us, was faith. And if we give that to him, His joy is full.
It's simple. It's beautiful.
My heart was full that day knowing that my efforts were bringing great joy to my Savior. At the Christmas season, celebrating His birth, I knew I was giving Jesus the gift of joy.
As I have watched my children grow, I recognize that feeling. Knowing you are striving forward with faithfulness, I feel great joy. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truthfulness." (3 John1:4.)
During the next two months, know that what you are doing is bringing Christ great joy.
Best Week of the Transfer
Hey Everyone!
You guys are great! All of your emails were great and I especially appreciated the title of your email, "Your Mom loves you TONS!" Oh, Happy Birthday, Mom!! I think according to the calendar you gave me, you just turned 29! Mom, you are amazing and I love you a lot! Thanks for raising me right and always being there. I've definitely learned that you are a very inspired woman, especially when it comes to your children. There have been numberless times when your emails have been exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you, Mom, for you countless sacrifices and your many, many prayers. I love you!
My week went really well this week. We had probably our best week of the transfer and we definitely worked the hardest. Not a lot of our investigators could meet, so we had tons of contacting time and we just dug down and worked really hard at that. We had almost 200 contacts, but unfortuneatly, no new investigators. But I have no doubt the Lord saw our work and will bless us and the people here in one way or another. Adriana is doing really well. We have a goal to give her a baptismal date this week. She understands and accepts everything we teach her, so this is the next step. I'm really excited.
Oh, I almost forgot, lol. Transfers! I forgot, because they were really anticlimactic and no one in this city is transferred. No sisters are coming in, either, so absolutely nothing has changed. Throughout the whole mission, not a lot has changed. Elder Woodhouse is now a zone leader and all the elders from my MTC group are now senior. Another one, Elder Kirk, is a district leader. Oh, and Elder Stinson is training.
Yeah, the BYU girls are back now. It's really good to have them back. They do a lot for the branch. They stay here until the December 17th. I'll be the elder that saw them come in and stayed their whole time until they leave. They are awesome and I'm glad that i've been able to get to know them. We're all pretty tight. Christina is pretty sick right now and Elder Hardman and I were able to go over there and give her a blessing. He gave the blessing and it was a really good experience. I love giving blessings and having the Spirit work through me...it's amazing! I actually got to be a part of three blessings yesterday. Christina, Diamanta(for a huge test she has today) and Laura(for the last month out here. She's been here since Katie Price came out here). It was great to serve them in that way.
You are right, we have been challenged to each have a baptism by Christmas, as a gift to the Savior. Alina is doing really well, too. She has problems making sacrifices and changing, but she is a 15-year old. And a very spunky one at that. She is great, though, and hopefully will start coming to church. She is addicted to coffee(at 15!) and doesn't think she can quit that. I'll keep you updated. No, Gianina has no relation to Nicu. Nicu's wife is in Italy, but I think she is coming home soon and then she will be willing to take the discussions. That's at least what he told us. That would be incredible to see him be able to baptize her. Gianina is a former Muslim that does everything she's ever been taught. She even pays tithing(though it's under donations or something because she isn't a member). She would be baptized, probably, if we asked her, but she doesn't really believe in Jesus Christ or understand his role as our Savior. I've never had a lesson with her, though. I think she was waiting for sisters to come back, but they didn't so that's kind of a bummer. We'll try again to meet with her. Maybe have a member, a sister from the branch, set it up.
I don't get fed by members very often here. Timisoara was where I could be fed 5 out of the 7 days of the week. Here, Sora Genoveva feeds us every week(it's really good) and President Popovici feeds us when we go over. That is it, though. But I've been learning to cook a little. Well, lol, not really. I've learned how to make lots of desserts, but that's about it. Snickerdoodles, no-bakes, carrot cake, yellow cake, lemon bars, etc. I'm really enjoying that, actually. I should probably learn to cook a meal, but hey, I still have over a year.
Woo-hoo! That is super sick that about the football game!! That must have been a super fun game to watch. The football team just needs to go all the way now. I'm sure J dominated. Keep me updated!
Well, you guys are the best. I should go now. I love you all! Happy birthday again, Mom. Thanks for the "I know". I love those. Have a great week, everyone. There's no transfer meeting this week, but next week, during Thanksgiving, we'll(the whole mission) be in Buch, because a general authority is coming. Have a good one.
Love, Elder Ross
You guys are great! All of your emails were great and I especially appreciated the title of your email, "Your Mom loves you TONS!" Oh, Happy Birthday, Mom!! I think according to the calendar you gave me, you just turned 29! Mom, you are amazing and I love you a lot! Thanks for raising me right and always being there. I've definitely learned that you are a very inspired woman, especially when it comes to your children. There have been numberless times when your emails have been exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you, Mom, for you countless sacrifices and your many, many prayers. I love you!
My week went really well this week. We had probably our best week of the transfer and we definitely worked the hardest. Not a lot of our investigators could meet, so we had tons of contacting time and we just dug down and worked really hard at that. We had almost 200 contacts, but unfortuneatly, no new investigators. But I have no doubt the Lord saw our work and will bless us and the people here in one way or another. Adriana is doing really well. We have a goal to give her a baptismal date this week. She understands and accepts everything we teach her, so this is the next step. I'm really excited.
Oh, I almost forgot, lol. Transfers! I forgot, because they were really anticlimactic and no one in this city is transferred. No sisters are coming in, either, so absolutely nothing has changed. Throughout the whole mission, not a lot has changed. Elder Woodhouse is now a zone leader and all the elders from my MTC group are now senior. Another one, Elder Kirk, is a district leader. Oh, and Elder Stinson is training.
Yeah, the BYU girls are back now. It's really good to have them back. They do a lot for the branch. They stay here until the December 17th. I'll be the elder that saw them come in and stayed their whole time until they leave. They are awesome and I'm glad that i've been able to get to know them. We're all pretty tight. Christina is pretty sick right now and Elder Hardman and I were able to go over there and give her a blessing. He gave the blessing and it was a really good experience. I love giving blessings and having the Spirit work through me...it's amazing! I actually got to be a part of three blessings yesterday. Christina, Diamanta(for a huge test she has today) and Laura(for the last month out here. She's been here since Katie Price came out here). It was great to serve them in that way.
You are right, we have been challenged to each have a baptism by Christmas, as a gift to the Savior. Alina is doing really well, too. She has problems making sacrifices and changing, but she is a 15-year old. And a very spunky one at that. She is great, though, and hopefully will start coming to church. She is addicted to coffee(at 15!) and doesn't think she can quit that. I'll keep you updated. No, Gianina has no relation to Nicu. Nicu's wife is in Italy, but I think she is coming home soon and then she will be willing to take the discussions. That's at least what he told us. That would be incredible to see him be able to baptize her. Gianina is a former Muslim that does everything she's ever been taught. She even pays tithing(though it's under donations or something because she isn't a member). She would be baptized, probably, if we asked her, but she doesn't really believe in Jesus Christ or understand his role as our Savior. I've never had a lesson with her, though. I think she was waiting for sisters to come back, but they didn't so that's kind of a bummer. We'll try again to meet with her. Maybe have a member, a sister from the branch, set it up.
I don't get fed by members very often here. Timisoara was where I could be fed 5 out of the 7 days of the week. Here, Sora Genoveva feeds us every week(it's really good) and President Popovici feeds us when we go over. That is it, though. But I've been learning to cook a little. Well, lol, not really. I've learned how to make lots of desserts, but that's about it. Snickerdoodles, no-bakes, carrot cake, yellow cake, lemon bars, etc. I'm really enjoying that, actually. I should probably learn to cook a meal, but hey, I still have over a year.
Woo-hoo! That is super sick that about the football game!! That must have been a super fun game to watch. The football team just needs to go all the way now. I'm sure J dominated. Keep me updated!
Well, you guys are the best. I should go now. I love you all! Happy birthday again, Mom. Thanks for the "I know". I love those. Have a great week, everyone. There's no transfer meeting this week, but next week, during Thanksgiving, we'll(the whole mission) be in Buch, because a general authority is coming. Have a good one.
Love, Elder Ross
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Okay but fighting homesickness with hard work
Hey You Amazing People!
Things have been going alright out here in Iasi. We finished handing out english fliers and had our first day of sign-ups on Saturday. It was decent, nothing special, about 50 people signed up. Hopefully a lot more sign up on Tuesday. It really wasn't the best week as far as missionary work goes. Probably my worst numbers ever, actually. It's hard, sometimes. We had a lot of lessons set up that didn't happen and so we last time with those. And then with getting english fliers out and having a day of sign-ups.
Personally, I'm doing alright. To be honest, this last week has been hard for me, for some reason thinking a lot about home and how much I miss everyone I love. Believe, I still worked hard, and I tried not to think on those things, but it was just one of those weeks. For some reason it was like that for my companion, too. We're both glad to have this new week and a chance to tear it up. It's our last week of the transfer. Next week I'll be telling you guys about transfer calls. Elder Hardman and I are both hoping that we stay together here in Iasi for one more. I know I will be really sad if I leave. It's all in the Lord's plan, though. We'll find out soon enough.
Thanks for those questions about how I am doing. Life is good and my companion and I get along really well. I definitely have no complaints about him. I think things might be a little easier once I pass my year mark. Right now, Mom's, J's and my birthday are all coming up and then Christmas. I think Christmas will be pretty hard. I really love you guys a lot and miss you. I do know this is where I'm supposed to be, though and I wouldn't leave the mission for anything. I'm really excited to talk to you guys at Christmas, though. That will be way awesome!
But the work goes pretty well in Iasi. We told two of our investigators, Adriana and Alina, to start praying about baptism so we definitely have investigators who are progressing. Adriana came to church again, as did Gianina and Adrian, Nicu's son.
The BYU girls left for Hungary Saturday and don't get back until this saturday, so we have to step it up a little. They do a lot for the branch and we have to fill in the gaps. For example, yesterday I taught primary. Adrian was the only one in the class, though, so we read together from the childrens book of mormon. First the story of Ammon, then we drew scenes from it. It was pretty fun. Then we read about when Christ visited the people in America. Then we did a puzzle of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was great. Also, I have to do the spiritual thought for FHE, because the BYU girls aren't here. It will be nice when they are back.
Yeah, sadly enough, we didn't have permission to dress up for the halloween party. I wanted to super bad, too. That's ok, I guess. It was still way fun. Nice, I am really glad to hear that others are getting really close to going on their missions, especially P. He'll tear it up! Don't worry about the packages, I'm sure they will make it fine. Hopefully I get them at transfer meeting on the 14th.
Dang, J, $15 an hour! That is some serious dough, dude! Sounds like a really good job, too. Nice work with the German. Keep it up, I want to become fluent in it when I come home and then we can speak to each other and make fun of everyone around us without them even knowing. Sounds like football is going really well, too. Keep dominating life, bro!
Well, I feel like I write less every week. Probably because I do. I don't know what else to write. Being district leader and trainer is awesome. I really like it. Those things don't stress me out at all, which is good. I only have one more district meeting this transfer, too. Then sisters will be back in Iasi. Did I tell you last week that I'm getting a cell phone at transfer meeting? Well, if I didn't, I'm telling you now. I can't wait, it will be so useful, a HUGE help to the work. I love you guys and pray for you. I know it helps you, because your prayers have strengthened me. Have a fabulous week!
--Elder Ross
Things have been going alright out here in Iasi. We finished handing out english fliers and had our first day of sign-ups on Saturday. It was decent, nothing special, about 50 people signed up. Hopefully a lot more sign up on Tuesday. It really wasn't the best week as far as missionary work goes. Probably my worst numbers ever, actually. It's hard, sometimes. We had a lot of lessons set up that didn't happen and so we last time with those. And then with getting english fliers out and having a day of sign-ups.
Personally, I'm doing alright. To be honest, this last week has been hard for me, for some reason thinking a lot about home and how much I miss everyone I love. Believe, I still worked hard, and I tried not to think on those things, but it was just one of those weeks. For some reason it was like that for my companion, too. We're both glad to have this new week and a chance to tear it up. It's our last week of the transfer. Next week I'll be telling you guys about transfer calls. Elder Hardman and I are both hoping that we stay together here in Iasi for one more. I know I will be really sad if I leave. It's all in the Lord's plan, though. We'll find out soon enough.
Thanks for those questions about how I am doing. Life is good and my companion and I get along really well. I definitely have no complaints about him. I think things might be a little easier once I pass my year mark. Right now, Mom's, J's and my birthday are all coming up and then Christmas. I think Christmas will be pretty hard. I really love you guys a lot and miss you. I do know this is where I'm supposed to be, though and I wouldn't leave the mission for anything. I'm really excited to talk to you guys at Christmas, though. That will be way awesome!
But the work goes pretty well in Iasi. We told two of our investigators, Adriana and Alina, to start praying about baptism so we definitely have investigators who are progressing. Adriana came to church again, as did Gianina and Adrian, Nicu's son.
The BYU girls left for Hungary Saturday and don't get back until this saturday, so we have to step it up a little. They do a lot for the branch and we have to fill in the gaps. For example, yesterday I taught primary. Adrian was the only one in the class, though, so we read together from the childrens book of mormon. First the story of Ammon, then we drew scenes from it. It was pretty fun. Then we read about when Christ visited the people in America. Then we did a puzzle of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was great. Also, I have to do the spiritual thought for FHE, because the BYU girls aren't here. It will be nice when they are back.
Yeah, sadly enough, we didn't have permission to dress up for the halloween party. I wanted to super bad, too. That's ok, I guess. It was still way fun. Nice, I am really glad to hear that others are getting really close to going on their missions, especially P. He'll tear it up! Don't worry about the packages, I'm sure they will make it fine. Hopefully I get them at transfer meeting on the 14th.
Dang, J, $15 an hour! That is some serious dough, dude! Sounds like a really good job, too. Nice work with the German. Keep it up, I want to become fluent in it when I come home and then we can speak to each other and make fun of everyone around us without them even knowing. Sounds like football is going really well, too. Keep dominating life, bro!
Well, I feel like I write less every week. Probably because I do. I don't know what else to write. Being district leader and trainer is awesome. I really like it. Those things don't stress me out at all, which is good. I only have one more district meeting this transfer, too. Then sisters will be back in Iasi. Did I tell you last week that I'm getting a cell phone at transfer meeting? Well, if I didn't, I'm telling you now. I can't wait, it will be so useful, a HUGE help to the work. I love you guys and pray for you. I know it helps you, because your prayers have strengthened me. Have a fabulous week!
--Elder Ross
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