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
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
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
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
A rougher week
Hey Everyone!
Thanks for all your wonderful emails! This last week was one of the rougher ones I've had so far, but we have been doing everything we can so it doesn't get me done too much. All the same it's frustrating. I like what you told me about, Dad, how members need to do missionary work in 3 ways. Unfortunately, the members here are not very good at it. There aren't doing well with each other and they don't even try to help those that aren't members(with the exception of one or two really strong members). With the new system of work here, us missionaries need to work a lot through members and get referrals from them. But....there hasn't been a single referral given by a member in the last 4 transfers! It's sad and our work definitely suffers because of it. We should have a lot more. For example, Deva only has two elders in it and it got 16 referrals just last transfer!! Timisoara has a had a couple this transfer but they are all from investigators. I've still never gotten a referral my whole mission. : (
We have stronger investigators than members and we're going to start taking investigators to members, lol. How crazy is that! Gabriella and Andy are two of the most strongest people, well they are actually, the two most strongest(along with Sora Negriu) people in our branch and they are investigators. Gabriella is doing really well and we are going to give her a baptismal date tonight actually. It will probably be for next transfer and I'll probably be gone, but it will still be sweet to see her make the commitment. I was really hoping we could get Andy baptized this transfer. We wanted to invite his mom to an activity and hopefully she would have seen that we are normal and who knows, maybe we could have gotten permission for him to be baptized. But, unfortunately activities here aren't going well, because the members don't care and don't come. We had one two days ago and only 6 members came! That is a super poor showing. I don't know what has happened to this branch...and only about 12 or so members came to church yesterday. We had 40 every week when I first got here!
Well, enough about how the work is going poorly here. I am doing really well and I really like being with Elder Jepsen. We have been working really hard and I love it. Plus, we teach super well together and bounce off each other. It's pretty tight. The language is coming along well, too. I'm really trying to learn tons and Jepsen and I SYL a lot. It's way good for me. I don't think I'll go senior next transfer, but I'm trying to prepare myself in case, so the Lord can use me how he wants. That's kind of what I think to push myself harder.
Sunday a week ago President Ashby and Sora Ashby came down. He spoke and it was a really good talk. And Doctor Gardner, was at zone conference. The Gardners are a pretty cool couple, it was fun.
English classes started and it's kind of a joke. We had 6 people in our first hour and then 5 in our second one, so we are going to combine the classes. Hopefully, our advanced class tomorrow has some people. That's definitely the best level to teach.
Sounds like everything is going well on the home front. Wow, early early morning seminary, Mom. Have fun! Who are you team teaching with? That is pretty cool, I'm sure you will learn a ton. And believe me, I know that Harry Potter is out now! lol. It's here, too. Hmm, maybe if I wait until November when it comes out in Romanian, it could be a language study....
Dang, I don't know if I can wait that long to open that present. I'm supposed to hold onto it for 3 months without opening it?! We'll see, I guess, lol. [We are sending him his birthday present with some friends who are traveling to Romania. His birthday isn't for a few more months.]
Thanks for writing me, E and A! I think it's safe to say A had help and E didn't, haha. I liked his creative spelling of license plate. I'm not sure what he's trying to tell me about it, though. Does it have significance? That is a good question, A, what do I eat for breakfast. Usually, cereal. Exciting, huh? And when we run out of milk, then eggs and some meat.
Well, all, hopefully this next week is a good one. I think it will be, it feels good to me. Well, have a great week, too. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
p.s. no, I don't have showers, I just get the floor all wet :P [His last letter talked about talking cold showers to stay cool.]
Thanks for all your wonderful emails! This last week was one of the rougher ones I've had so far, but we have been doing everything we can so it doesn't get me done too much. All the same it's frustrating. I like what you told me about, Dad, how members need to do missionary work in 3 ways. Unfortunately, the members here are not very good at it. There aren't doing well with each other and they don't even try to help those that aren't members(with the exception of one or two really strong members). With the new system of work here, us missionaries need to work a lot through members and get referrals from them. But....there hasn't been a single referral given by a member in the last 4 transfers! It's sad and our work definitely suffers because of it. We should have a lot more. For example, Deva only has two elders in it and it got 16 referrals just last transfer!! Timisoara has a had a couple this transfer but they are all from investigators. I've still never gotten a referral my whole mission. : (
We have stronger investigators than members and we're going to start taking investigators to members, lol. How crazy is that! Gabriella and Andy are two of the most strongest people, well they are actually, the two most strongest(along with Sora Negriu) people in our branch and they are investigators. Gabriella is doing really well and we are going to give her a baptismal date tonight actually. It will probably be for next transfer and I'll probably be gone, but it will still be sweet to see her make the commitment. I was really hoping we could get Andy baptized this transfer. We wanted to invite his mom to an activity and hopefully she would have seen that we are normal and who knows, maybe we could have gotten permission for him to be baptized. But, unfortunately activities here aren't going well, because the members don't care and don't come. We had one two days ago and only 6 members came! That is a super poor showing. I don't know what has happened to this branch...and only about 12 or so members came to church yesterday. We had 40 every week when I first got here!
Well, enough about how the work is going poorly here. I am doing really well and I really like being with Elder Jepsen. We have been working really hard and I love it. Plus, we teach super well together and bounce off each other. It's pretty tight. The language is coming along well, too. I'm really trying to learn tons and Jepsen and I SYL a lot. It's way good for me. I don't think I'll go senior next transfer, but I'm trying to prepare myself in case, so the Lord can use me how he wants. That's kind of what I think to push myself harder.
Sunday a week ago President Ashby and Sora Ashby came down. He spoke and it was a really good talk. And Doctor Gardner, was at zone conference. The Gardners are a pretty cool couple, it was fun.
English classes started and it's kind of a joke. We had 6 people in our first hour and then 5 in our second one, so we are going to combine the classes. Hopefully, our advanced class tomorrow has some people. That's definitely the best level to teach.
Sounds like everything is going well on the home front. Wow, early early morning seminary, Mom. Have fun! Who are you team teaching with? That is pretty cool, I'm sure you will learn a ton. And believe me, I know that Harry Potter is out now! lol. It's here, too. Hmm, maybe if I wait until November when it comes out in Romanian, it could be a language study....
Dang, I don't know if I can wait that long to open that present. I'm supposed to hold onto it for 3 months without opening it?! We'll see, I guess, lol. [We are sending him his birthday present with some friends who are traveling to Romania. His birthday isn't for a few more months.]
Thanks for writing me, E and A! I think it's safe to say A had help and E didn't, haha. I liked his creative spelling of license plate. I'm not sure what he's trying to tell me about it, though. Does it have significance? That is a good question, A, what do I eat for breakfast. Usually, cereal. Exciting, huh? And when we run out of milk, then eggs and some meat.
Well, all, hopefully this next week is a good one. I think it will be, it feels good to me. Well, have a great week, too. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
p.s. no, I don't have showers, I just get the floor all wet :P [His last letter talked about talking cold showers to stay cool.]
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
New Photos
Me and Elder Jaynes in the beautiful center of Timisoara. 
With Sora Negriu.
with Sora Radu
Burning a tie at my six-month mark.
The flaming pot we made in order to burn my tie.
Exploring an abondoned house...prepared for anything with a shovel.
Me, Andy and Elder Garrett.
Making crazy faces. The two sisters, Sora Beck and Sora Harrison, are pretty much the coolest ever!
Hot in Timisoara
Hey All!
This last week was kind of exciting, thought it went pretty slow. Guess what the average temperature has been the last several days....110! Nuts, huh? I am constantly sweating and feeling really gross, lol. It's the worst in my apartment, because it is really humid in there. We have one fan and got permission to get another one, but there aren't any left in the city to buy! Lame! Well, I will continue to endure and enjoy every minute of my freezing cold showers.
Dang! That is nuts, I had no idea Brandon was so close to the end of his mission! How far behind is Peter? Man, that is so wild! I'm sure they have served very honorable missions and they have been a huge example to me. I think that is great that Grandma and Grandpa have that desire to serve a third mission. I know if they get to go, they will be fantastic!
Well, a lot of this last week has been spent getting ready for English. We got 6000 fliers Wednesday afternoon and between the 6 of us in Timsoara had to get them all out by Friday night when we had sign-ups. It was intense. The entire day Thursday, Elder Jepsen and I were out in that 110 degree weather passing out fliers. In the end we got out only about 5000 fliers and then sign-ups bombed, too. The biggest problem is the heat, no one was outside in that kind of temperature and only 53 people signed up. Last time we had about 160! So probably there will only be one companionship teaching english and it will probably be Elder Jepsen and me.
Oh, I guess you're probably wondering why I didnt' write yesterday. We had zone conference up in Arad and so we have P day today. Zone conference was really good! I love learning how I can be a better missionary and help others accept the gospel. It was combined with another zone and so Elder Selck(my trainer/dad) was there. It was really good to see him and talk with him. I'm lucky I had a chance to serve with him. A lot of the conference was on how to work better through members and we received standards of excellence that we need to strive to meet, that really make us change our focus and concentrate on the members a lot more. I'm way pumped now and ready to see what good we can cause!
Wow, sounds like the reunion was amazing! Thanks for the massive update mom, it took like 20 minutes to read! lol, I am jealous that I missed it. Sounds like a lot of great things: seeing everyone, fishing, touring family sites, talent show, lots of food and just being together as family! Next time, though. : )
I hope the bar exam went well for Aaron. I bet that would be way stressful.
Hey, L, I got a letter from yesterday! It's sooo good, thank you so much! Smelled good, too
S, thanks a ton for your email. Sounds like you were pretty tired, lol. I probably won't even recognize your cat when I come home. If the little kids thought she grew after a week, imagine after two years! I'm glad you had so much fun. Keep enjoying the summer, you've got school coming up!
Well, all, I'm signing out now. I'm going to try to put some pictures on snapfish. Hope you like them. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
p.s. funny comment from zone conference:elder canfield walked up to me and said, "you are one big, ripped man." lol, i thought that was super funny...true , too, lol
This last week was kind of exciting, thought it went pretty slow. Guess what the average temperature has been the last several days....110! Nuts, huh? I am constantly sweating and feeling really gross, lol. It's the worst in my apartment, because it is really humid in there. We have one fan and got permission to get another one, but there aren't any left in the city to buy! Lame! Well, I will continue to endure and enjoy every minute of my freezing cold showers.
Dang! That is nuts, I had no idea Brandon was so close to the end of his mission! How far behind is Peter? Man, that is so wild! I'm sure they have served very honorable missions and they have been a huge example to me. I think that is great that Grandma and Grandpa have that desire to serve a third mission. I know if they get to go, they will be fantastic!
Well, a lot of this last week has been spent getting ready for English. We got 6000 fliers Wednesday afternoon and between the 6 of us in Timsoara had to get them all out by Friday night when we had sign-ups. It was intense. The entire day Thursday, Elder Jepsen and I were out in that 110 degree weather passing out fliers. In the end we got out only about 5000 fliers and then sign-ups bombed, too. The biggest problem is the heat, no one was outside in that kind of temperature and only 53 people signed up. Last time we had about 160! So probably there will only be one companionship teaching english and it will probably be Elder Jepsen and me.
Oh, I guess you're probably wondering why I didnt' write yesterday. We had zone conference up in Arad and so we have P day today. Zone conference was really good! I love learning how I can be a better missionary and help others accept the gospel. It was combined with another zone and so Elder Selck(my trainer/dad) was there. It was really good to see him and talk with him. I'm lucky I had a chance to serve with him. A lot of the conference was on how to work better through members and we received standards of excellence that we need to strive to meet, that really make us change our focus and concentrate on the members a lot more. I'm way pumped now and ready to see what good we can cause!
Wow, sounds like the reunion was amazing! Thanks for the massive update mom, it took like 20 minutes to read! lol, I am jealous that I missed it. Sounds like a lot of great things: seeing everyone, fishing, touring family sites, talent show, lots of food and just being together as family! Next time, though. : )
I hope the bar exam went well for Aaron. I bet that would be way stressful.
Hey, L, I got a letter from yesterday! It's sooo good, thank you so much! Smelled good, too
S, thanks a ton for your email. Sounds like you were pretty tired, lol. I probably won't even recognize your cat when I come home. If the little kids thought she grew after a week, imagine after two years! I'm glad you had so much fun. Keep enjoying the summer, you've got school coming up!
Well, all, I'm signing out now. I'm going to try to put some pictures on snapfish. Hope you like them. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
p.s. funny comment from zone conference:elder canfield walked up to me and said, "you are one big, ripped man." lol, i thought that was super funny...true , too, lol
Monday, July 23, 2007
Letter from July 16th
[We have been away at a family reunion so I neglected to post this sooner. BTW, there is no letter yet today. He might be at a zone conference -- maybe we will hear on Wednesday.]
Hey Everyone!
It's been an awesome and super busy week! I'll get to what you want to hear about the most....my new companion is Elder Jepsen. He's a super cool guy, just two transfers ahead of me in the mission and he is a pro at the language, like seriously one of the mission's better speakers even though he's so young. He's a really hard worker, too. I'm going to learn a lot this transfer. I'm going to try to get the most out of it, because who knows if my next companion will be as good.
Man, our mission is super bottom heavy, meaning there are a lot more younger missionaries right now than older ones. There are only 3 people older than those from my MTC district(none of us went senior this transfer) who aren't senior right now and so we did a little math and 3 or 4 people from my district have to go senior next transfer. That will be nuts! I feel like I just got here! Pretty soon we'll all be the leaders! Well, this transfer just started and that's what I'm focusing on. Elder Jepsen and I have a lot of really cool people to work with, members and investigators.
A little update on a couple people we work with...I don't have anything more, because I was in Bucharest most of the week. Marian, a pretty apostate member who is super inactive, was working with us a lot and we were making some progress with him. He even came to church. But then the last time we went there I went to open the door out of the room we were in and the handle broke. It was definitely really weak, I hardly used any force at all. Anyway, I didn't think too much of it, it didn't seem like a big problem, mostly because it was a crappy door. So then I called him to set up with him and I was chatting with him for a few minutes and then I asked if we could come over and he said no. I was kinda surprised, he said we could come over whenever before, so I asked him why. He said he was mad and it didn't seem right to him that someone would do that(break that handle) in his house. He said he was never going to accept any missionaries again or come to church again, because that didn't seem right to him. I was way taken aback and was like you are going to do all that and risk your salvation because of a door? He just said yup, lol. So that was pretty frustrating. Obviously he was just looking for an excuse. Oh, and he'd fixed the door already, he said it wasn't a problem. What a joke! Anyway, to answer your question mom, Gabriella'a waiting until September because that's when her son's wedding is and she doesn't want to cause problems for that.
My district is super young now! I love it! Elder Woodhouse became senior, district leader and trainer all in this transfer. Crazy, but he can definitely do it. So every companionship has someone that's in their first area. Myself, Sora Harrison and now Elder Grant, bobocul(the greenie). We expect miracles this transfer, it's going to be incredible.
The time in Buch was fun, but I was there for 4 days and I am definitely glad to be back in my city. It was cool to be in Buch for church. There were a lot of members there and it was cool to see a lot of missionaries, too. Sunday night, Elder Waters and I had an exchange together. That was my first time having an exchange with someone my age(mission-wise) or younger. We're actually in the same group. It was really cool and the lessons went really well. I gained a lot of confidence when I realized I can actually teach on my own now and do pretty well, too. It was an incredible feeling!
Monday morning was supposed to be my P-day, but I spent a lot of it in the mission office. Elder Garrett reported their at 8 and then I was stuck there until like 1pm. I was put to work sorting mail and putting together boxes of supply. I started to go crazy and was ready to kill myself. Office elder is definitely a calling not meant for me!
Man, Tuesday morning was a joke, lol. I was at Elder Waters and Elder Carroll's place and they woke up at like 9 or 9:30! I woke up about normal, 6:30, and was kinda bored. I starting reading this medieval book of tales they had, then I took a shower and then I cleaned like their whole kitchen and even mopped their floor. That actually felt really good to do that, to go in and just make their kitchen way clean. I'm glad I got to do that, I really like serving other people. I always have a really good feeling afterwards.
Well, it sounds like back on the home front, things are happening! J got his Eagle, S got her dance award, E got his running award, A got baptized and W just being as crazy and funny as ever. Plus, people visiting, mom's business and the reunion. Thanks a TON for the pictures!!! It is so great to see pictures of everyone, I love it! I know, I'm a hyppocrite, but I'll send pictures next week. I'll put them on snapfish.
J - You stud! That is way cool about baptizing A! It is really a cool experience. Lol, I get it again one of these days, but if it's my job to plant seeds while others harvest, so be it.
I'm glad you have such a sweet attitude about helping others and serving them. You will be an amazing missionary! Nice work on the body building. Get those biceps HUGE! But don't forget those abs, my personal favorite, lol. Thanks for the email. Keep it real! Love ya, man.
Well, everyone, hope I updated you well. If not, ask questions. I love you all tons!!! Have a great one!
--Elder Ross
Hey Everyone!
It's been an awesome and super busy week! I'll get to what you want to hear about the most....my new companion is Elder Jepsen. He's a super cool guy, just two transfers ahead of me in the mission and he is a pro at the language, like seriously one of the mission's better speakers even though he's so young. He's a really hard worker, too. I'm going to learn a lot this transfer. I'm going to try to get the most out of it, because who knows if my next companion will be as good.
Man, our mission is super bottom heavy, meaning there are a lot more younger missionaries right now than older ones. There are only 3 people older than those from my MTC district(none of us went senior this transfer) who aren't senior right now and so we did a little math and 3 or 4 people from my district have to go senior next transfer. That will be nuts! I feel like I just got here! Pretty soon we'll all be the leaders! Well, this transfer just started and that's what I'm focusing on. Elder Jepsen and I have a lot of really cool people to work with, members and investigators.
A little update on a couple people we work with...I don't have anything more, because I was in Bucharest most of the week. Marian, a pretty apostate member who is super inactive, was working with us a lot and we were making some progress with him. He even came to church. But then the last time we went there I went to open the door out of the room we were in and the handle broke. It was definitely really weak, I hardly used any force at all. Anyway, I didn't think too much of it, it didn't seem like a big problem, mostly because it was a crappy door. So then I called him to set up with him and I was chatting with him for a few minutes and then I asked if we could come over and he said no. I was kinda surprised, he said we could come over whenever before, so I asked him why. He said he was mad and it didn't seem right to him that someone would do that(break that handle) in his house. He said he was never going to accept any missionaries again or come to church again, because that didn't seem right to him. I was way taken aback and was like you are going to do all that and risk your salvation because of a door? He just said yup, lol. So that was pretty frustrating. Obviously he was just looking for an excuse. Oh, and he'd fixed the door already, he said it wasn't a problem. What a joke! Anyway, to answer your question mom, Gabriella'a waiting until September because that's when her son's wedding is and she doesn't want to cause problems for that.
My district is super young now! I love it! Elder Woodhouse became senior, district leader and trainer all in this transfer. Crazy, but he can definitely do it. So every companionship has someone that's in their first area. Myself, Sora Harrison and now Elder Grant, bobocul(the greenie). We expect miracles this transfer, it's going to be incredible.
The time in Buch was fun, but I was there for 4 days and I am definitely glad to be back in my city. It was cool to be in Buch for church. There were a lot of members there and it was cool to see a lot of missionaries, too. Sunday night, Elder Waters and I had an exchange together. That was my first time having an exchange with someone my age(mission-wise) or younger. We're actually in the same group. It was really cool and the lessons went really well. I gained a lot of confidence when I realized I can actually teach on my own now and do pretty well, too. It was an incredible feeling!
Monday morning was supposed to be my P-day, but I spent a lot of it in the mission office. Elder Garrett reported their at 8 and then I was stuck there until like 1pm. I was put to work sorting mail and putting together boxes of supply. I started to go crazy and was ready to kill myself. Office elder is definitely a calling not meant for me!
Man, Tuesday morning was a joke, lol. I was at Elder Waters and Elder Carroll's place and they woke up at like 9 or 9:30! I woke up about normal, 6:30, and was kinda bored. I starting reading this medieval book of tales they had, then I took a shower and then I cleaned like their whole kitchen and even mopped their floor. That actually felt really good to do that, to go in and just make their kitchen way clean. I'm glad I got to do that, I really like serving other people. I always have a really good feeling afterwards.
Well, it sounds like back on the home front, things are happening! J got his Eagle, S got her dance award, E got his running award, A got baptized and W just being as crazy and funny as ever. Plus, people visiting, mom's business and the reunion. Thanks a TON for the pictures!!! It is so great to see pictures of everyone, I love it! I know, I'm a hyppocrite, but I'll send pictures next week. I'll put them on snapfish.
J - You stud! That is way cool about baptizing A! It is really a cool experience. Lol, I get it again one of these days, but if it's my job to plant seeds while others harvest, so be it.
I'm glad you have such a sweet attitude about helping others and serving them. You will be an amazing missionary! Nice work on the body building. Get those biceps HUGE! But don't forget those abs, my personal favorite, lol. Thanks for the email. Keep it real! Love ya, man.
Well, everyone, hope I updated you well. If not, ask questions. I love you all tons!!! Have a great one!
--Elder Ross
Monday, July 9, 2007
In Bucharest - waiting for new companion
Hey Everyone!!!
It's been a crazy week and especially the last couple of days. Guess what??! I'm not in Timisoara right now! On Saturday morning President Ashby called us and informed us of what is happening with transfer calls. Normally we find out Monday morning then head to Bucharest Tuesday night. We found that Elder Garrett is going to be an Office Elder(and will be the rest of his mission, he only has 3 transfers left) and that we needed to be there Sunday night, meaning taking a train Saturday night and that I am staying in Timisoara for another transfer. I'm happy, I love that city and especially the people there. That also means you can send me mail there still...L....hint, hint. So Saturday was super busy getting Elder Garrett packed, buying train tickets and having a full day of lessons on top of that.
We got here in Buch Sunday morning and went to Elder Carroll and Elder Water's apartment to shower. Then we went to church, which was fun. The branch was bigger than the one in Timisoara. Oh man, and this gypsy kid was there who's not all there if you know what I mean. Anyway, he was super entranced by me. I don't really know why. He just kept calling me a monster and saying I'm huge and feeling my arm. Lol,it was super weird. He just kept saying that word, monster, over and over again. It was odd.
Then after church, us and a bunch of missionaries from here all went to a member's house for lunch. It was really good. Then Elder Waters(he's in my MTC group) and I had an exchange. We went to a member's house and gave her the sacrament(she only has 1 leg) and taught her the plan of salvation. Not bad, huh? Two elders who have been in the country only 4 months teaching the plan of salvation. Then we went to an investigator's house and talked with her for a while. Overall it was a really good exchange. I really liked being able to speak more and have an equal part in teaching, because we're both at the same level. It was awesome.
So then today, P-day, Elder Garrett and I had to be at the office at 8am. He had a meeting with the other office elders, President and the AP's. I was pretty bored and read a whole little quote book while I was waiting. Well, after that meeting they put Elder Garrett to work and so I was stuck in the office for like 3 more hours. So I helped the Facers(the office senior couple) with putting together supply boxes and getting stuff ready for the missionaries that are going home. Finally, Elder Garrett and I got out, lol. I really hope I never go in the office, I couldn't take it. We met up with a bunch of other missionaries, played some pool, got some food, then the office elders picked up Elder Garrett and took him away. I'm in a threesome with Elder Waters and Elder Carroll for the next couple days until transfer meeting. I can't wait to find out who my new companion is! In my district, Elder Woodhouse is staying and Sora Harrison and me. The three of us will have been together for 4 transfers! Craziness. It's a good thing they are awesome and I love both of them. I'm really excited for this next transfer. It will be awesome! Well, there is the long update on me.
I got grandma's email last week and I'll send her a letter at transfer meeting. I didn't have time to get to the one for Craig and his family done, because I thought I had Sunday and Monday to write letters. Same thing with a letter for Katie P so if you could let those people know that would be great. Oh, and L's letter is going to be sent late this week, beacue I don't get back to Timisoara until Thursday and so I'll probably send it Friday. Just a heads up!
Ok, a few romanian words for you. Tata - father, Mama - mother, frate(pronounced like frappe but with a t) - brother, sora - sister, frate nebun - crazy brother. Grandpa - bunic. Grandma - bunica. And S, the best word for false is neadevarat (nay-ah-day-vuh-raht) which is just the negative of adevarat or true.
Wow, Mom, sounds like your business is crazy busy! Especially with the new possibility.! That is really exciting. And J, congratulations ahead of time on your eagle court of honor. I wish I was there to sit in the eagle's nest with you. Thanks for email, E. I burned a tie for my 6 month mark and talked about that a bit in my tape I sent you guys last week. And, I am having a great summer. Thanks for asking, bud! And thank you, S, for your email. That was really nice to get. Seriously.
Well, today's been a crazy day and it's not over yet. I better bounce. Have a fantastic week and don't let the suspense of my next companion keep you from sleeping, lol. Just kidding. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
It's been a crazy week and especially the last couple of days. Guess what??! I'm not in Timisoara right now! On Saturday morning President Ashby called us and informed us of what is happening with transfer calls. Normally we find out Monday morning then head to Bucharest Tuesday night. We found that Elder Garrett is going to be an Office Elder(and will be the rest of his mission, he only has 3 transfers left) and that we needed to be there Sunday night, meaning taking a train Saturday night and that I am staying in Timisoara for another transfer. I'm happy, I love that city and especially the people there. That also means you can send me mail there still...L....hint, hint. So Saturday was super busy getting Elder Garrett packed, buying train tickets and having a full day of lessons on top of that.
We got here in Buch Sunday morning and went to Elder Carroll and Elder Water's apartment to shower. Then we went to church, which was fun. The branch was bigger than the one in Timisoara. Oh man, and this gypsy kid was there who's not all there if you know what I mean. Anyway, he was super entranced by me. I don't really know why. He just kept calling me a monster and saying I'm huge and feeling my arm. Lol,it was super weird. He just kept saying that word, monster, over and over again. It was odd.
Then after church, us and a bunch of missionaries from here all went to a member's house for lunch. It was really good. Then Elder Waters(he's in my MTC group) and I had an exchange. We went to a member's house and gave her the sacrament(she only has 1 leg) and taught her the plan of salvation. Not bad, huh? Two elders who have been in the country only 4 months teaching the plan of salvation. Then we went to an investigator's house and talked with her for a while. Overall it was a really good exchange. I really liked being able to speak more and have an equal part in teaching, because we're both at the same level. It was awesome.
So then today, P-day, Elder Garrett and I had to be at the office at 8am. He had a meeting with the other office elders, President and the AP's. I was pretty bored and read a whole little quote book while I was waiting. Well, after that meeting they put Elder Garrett to work and so I was stuck in the office for like 3 more hours. So I helped the Facers(the office senior couple) with putting together supply boxes and getting stuff ready for the missionaries that are going home. Finally, Elder Garrett and I got out, lol. I really hope I never go in the office, I couldn't take it. We met up with a bunch of other missionaries, played some pool, got some food, then the office elders picked up Elder Garrett and took him away. I'm in a threesome with Elder Waters and Elder Carroll for the next couple days until transfer meeting. I can't wait to find out who my new companion is! In my district, Elder Woodhouse is staying and Sora Harrison and me. The three of us will have been together for 4 transfers! Craziness. It's a good thing they are awesome and I love both of them. I'm really excited for this next transfer. It will be awesome! Well, there is the long update on me.
I got grandma's email last week and I'll send her a letter at transfer meeting. I didn't have time to get to the one for Craig and his family done, because I thought I had Sunday and Monday to write letters. Same thing with a letter for Katie P so if you could let those people know that would be great. Oh, and L's letter is going to be sent late this week, beacue I don't get back to Timisoara until Thursday and so I'll probably send it Friday. Just a heads up!
Ok, a few romanian words for you. Tata - father, Mama - mother, frate(pronounced like frappe but with a t) - brother, sora - sister, frate nebun - crazy brother. Grandpa - bunic. Grandma - bunica. And S, the best word for false is neadevarat (nay-ah-day-vuh-raht) which is just the negative of adevarat or true.
Wow, Mom, sounds like your business is crazy busy! Especially with the new possibility.! That is really exciting. And J, congratulations ahead of time on your eagle court of honor. I wish I was there to sit in the eagle's nest with you. Thanks for email, E. I burned a tie for my 6 month mark and talked about that a bit in my tape I sent you guys last week. And, I am having a great summer. Thanks for asking, bud! And thank you, S, for your email. That was really nice to get. Seriously.
Well, today's been a crazy day and it's not over yet. I better bounce. Have a fantastic week and don't let the suspense of my next companion keep you from sleeping, lol. Just kidding. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Happy 4th!
Hey All!
Things are going really out here and this last week a lot of cool things have happened. Also, in exactly one week transfer calls come and we find out who leaves this beautiful city and who stays. Actually, the other companionship of elders and the sisters will already be in Bucharest. The elders because Elder Jaynes is "dying," it's his last transfer and the sisters because Sora Beck lost her wallet and ID so she has to talk to the police in Buch. So Elder Garrett and I get the transfer call all by ourselves and next P-day we will be the only missionaries in the city. Crazy, huh?
So last Thursday, we as a district, went to the opera house and watched a play. It's American, I think, it's called Barrymore but it was translated. And....it was pretty bad, lol. We left in the middle of it. The opera house itself is really cool, though.
Then Saturday, we had another branch activity. We had sandwiches, like the stuff all spread out and then people made their own. After that we had a pie eating contest, which I'm sad to say, I lost at. But then we had bobbing for apples and I did really good there. I got mine faster than anyone else and didn't even have to dunk my head to get it. What can I say, I have a huge mouth. : ) Then we went to a park and played water balloon volleyball. It was fun, but it was hard for a lot of the Romanians to figure out how to toss it well and so we ran out of balloons after like 20 minutes. It was a really fun activity, even though there were only about 20 people there.
Speaking of not very many people, church attendance was pretty poor yesterday. And there were only 4 investigators total and two of them showed up during the 2nd hour. Concediu is beginning. Usually sometime during the summer people take a month long vacation and I guess that's starting up now.
I got two letters in the mail this week! One from Dad, W and J(I think it was those 3) and one from Craig and Sam. It was super cool to get those and I will write Georgia gang back. And hopefully I will send you guys a tape today or tomorrow, whenever I finish it. Hopefully sometime soon.
Yeah, my health is perfect. That medicine was just a waste of money : (. but yeah, I know you are supposed to finish antibiotics and I did. Really, it was nothing (don't worry, i wasn't downplaying it, L:) ). I'm 100% healthy. Actually, probably 110% healthy, that's how good I'm doing. And ripped! Workouts are going well : )
I thought my mission prep notes ended up in a box in the attic. If they're not there then don't worry about it. But one thing I do need is a pair of shorts. I tried to find a pair here, but they are at the cheapest $70. Ridiculous, huh! So athletic shorts, Nike would be nice and only like $20. Have J pick them out.
No, I didn't pick my topic but it wasn't too hard. There are lots of amazing women in my life! They're pretty much the best. Lots of examples of being faithful daughters of God. Thanks!
I started a couple new endeavors with my studies this week. I'm going to read the Bible straight through(that will definitely take a while, I'm in Genesis 30- something) and I'm going to read Jesus the Christ. And of course, continue reading the Book of Mormon in Romanian. Yeah, so I'm pretty excited about those.
We had a lesson with Gabriella last night, which went really well. She talks so much like a member, it's crazy, in a good way of course. Anyway, she said something really funny. She asked us if we walk around together all the time and of course, we're like yeah, we're always together. Then, she said she doesn't believe us, and we were like, ok, why? Lol, she said I'm way more tan than Elder Garrett and so it's not possible. It was pretty funny and I laughed.
Well, all of you wonderful people in my family, I'm not going to respond to a lot of what you said, because I need something to say on the tape. I hope you the most wonderful week ever and thanks for all of your prayers. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
Things are going really out here and this last week a lot of cool things have happened. Also, in exactly one week transfer calls come and we find out who leaves this beautiful city and who stays. Actually, the other companionship of elders and the sisters will already be in Bucharest. The elders because Elder Jaynes is "dying," it's his last transfer and the sisters because Sora Beck lost her wallet and ID so she has to talk to the police in Buch. So Elder Garrett and I get the transfer call all by ourselves and next P-day we will be the only missionaries in the city. Crazy, huh?
So last Thursday, we as a district, went to the opera house and watched a play. It's American, I think, it's called Barrymore but it was translated. And....it was pretty bad, lol. We left in the middle of it. The opera house itself is really cool, though.
Then Saturday, we had another branch activity. We had sandwiches, like the stuff all spread out and then people made their own. After that we had a pie eating contest, which I'm sad to say, I lost at. But then we had bobbing for apples and I did really good there. I got mine faster than anyone else and didn't even have to dunk my head to get it. What can I say, I have a huge mouth. : ) Then we went to a park and played water balloon volleyball. It was fun, but it was hard for a lot of the Romanians to figure out how to toss it well and so we ran out of balloons after like 20 minutes. It was a really fun activity, even though there were only about 20 people there.
Speaking of not very many people, church attendance was pretty poor yesterday. And there were only 4 investigators total and two of them showed up during the 2nd hour. Concediu is beginning. Usually sometime during the summer people take a month long vacation and I guess that's starting up now.
I got two letters in the mail this week! One from Dad, W and J(I think it was those 3) and one from Craig and Sam. It was super cool to get those and I will write Georgia gang back. And hopefully I will send you guys a tape today or tomorrow, whenever I finish it. Hopefully sometime soon.
Yeah, my health is perfect. That medicine was just a waste of money : (. but yeah, I know you are supposed to finish antibiotics and I did. Really, it was nothing (don't worry, i wasn't downplaying it, L:) ). I'm 100% healthy. Actually, probably 110% healthy, that's how good I'm doing. And ripped! Workouts are going well : )
I thought my mission prep notes ended up in a box in the attic. If they're not there then don't worry about it. But one thing I do need is a pair of shorts. I tried to find a pair here, but they are at the cheapest $70. Ridiculous, huh! So athletic shorts, Nike would be nice and only like $20. Have J pick them out.
No, I didn't pick my topic but it wasn't too hard. There are lots of amazing women in my life! They're pretty much the best. Lots of examples of being faithful daughters of God. Thanks!
I started a couple new endeavors with my studies this week. I'm going to read the Bible straight through(that will definitely take a while, I'm in Genesis 30- something) and I'm going to read Jesus the Christ. And of course, continue reading the Book of Mormon in Romanian. Yeah, so I'm pretty excited about those.
We had a lesson with Gabriella last night, which went really well. She talks so much like a member, it's crazy, in a good way of course. Anyway, she said something really funny. She asked us if we walk around together all the time and of course, we're like yeah, we're always together. Then, she said she doesn't believe us, and we were like, ok, why? Lol, she said I'm way more tan than Elder Garrett and so it's not possible. It was pretty funny and I laughed.
Well, all of you wonderful people in my family, I'm not going to respond to a lot of what you said, because I need something to say on the tape. I hope you the most wonderful week ever and thanks for all of your prayers. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
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