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
Monday, October 29, 2007
Better Week
Hey Everyone!
This week has been pretty good. We've started handing out English fliers for the upcoming sign-ups. This week has also probably been my fastest ever. It feels like I was sitting here writing you just yesterday.
I agree, Casper was a very good cat. It's sad that he is gone, he definitely was as good as any watch dog. But it is good that he isn't suffering anymore. It also provided a great chance for you guys to talk about the plan of salvation. I'm sure I've told you before, but the plan of salvation is my favorite to teach and all the gospel can be understood and related to that great plan.
Friday night we had a Halloween party. It went really well. There were over 40 people there, more than we've had at church since I've been here. There were lots of games and activities, including a pie(more of a brownie with whipped cream) eating contest. I absolutely dominated that competition, devouring my piece in 10 seconds flat. I have it on my camera even, though video is pretty poor on it. Yeah, it probably would be easier for me to buy a camera here. Just tell me when and how much I have and hopefully I can get a pretty good quality camera. And money for Christmas, I don't know that I need too much. An extra $20 this next month should be fine. I already have a lot of the stuff.
So the family we are teaching isn't doing very well. I don't really know why, they just aren't very interested and it's impossile to talk with them consistently because their phone doesn't work a lot of the time. But the work overall is going really well. We had 4 investigators at church. Adriana, who continues to progress and study tons, marking up her scriptures and writing down all her questions; Alis, a girl I hadn't even met but was able to come to the activity and to church. She connected pretty well with Cristina, one of the byu girls; Genina, no progress with her, she doesn't want to meet with us; Nicu's son, I really hope to work with him and it would be amazing to see Nicu be able to baptize him. He's 10 years old. He really liked the halloween activity and I guess asked Nicu to be able to go to church yesterday. How sweet is that! So we have a lot of cool people to work with, along with getting out the rest of the english fliers. We still have about 3000 to pass out. Should be a good week.
I never told you guys but not last week but the week before we had zone conference. It went really well and I learned a ton, as always. Also, district meetings have been going pretty well. I'm not a huge fan of sitting in front of my district and talking for 30+ minutes, but they've gone well. I don't really have to worry about my district. My companionship, the Wrights and the zone leaders.
Ok, now we're talking...things you can send me for Christmas! I have a few things in mind. One is more book of mormon characters. I gave my Ammon to David(the little boy in that family) and then had his mom read him the story. It was just a little thing, but he loved it! So that would be sweet. Also, we have sport every saturday and it's starting to get cold. I would love a pair of long soccer socks, or a couple pairs,black is best. Also Christmas music would be amazing. I love Christmas music and so yeah, send me some. I still haven't been able to put music on my ipod. It's way lame. For some reason, it won't register on the computers. Is it a different cord that I need? Like, when I plug it into a computer, it just charges the battery. And if I do get to work, how do I put more music on? What program?
Speaking of music, Nicu finished a cd he's been working on and brought a copy for everyone at church on Sunday. It has 12 hymns(our church's hymns, to be clear) and it is super good. He doesn't want to make any money off of it either. He wants to donate all of the money the CD makes and give it to the church. Amazing, huh! He is such a stud.
Sounds like it was an interesting week for you guys. Casper died and J joined the dance team. Jk, that sounds like that will be pretty sweet for you, J. Just remember who you are and be strong. Well, I am going to sign off now. I'm sending some pictures, too. I hope you enjoy them. Maybe next week I'll have one with a thumbs up for W. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
P.S. I haven't forgotten about a penpal for you S. Hopefully I'll have one for you soon.
This week has been pretty good. We've started handing out English fliers for the upcoming sign-ups. This week has also probably been my fastest ever. It feels like I was sitting here writing you just yesterday.
I agree, Casper was a very good cat. It's sad that he is gone, he definitely was as good as any watch dog. But it is good that he isn't suffering anymore. It also provided a great chance for you guys to talk about the plan of salvation. I'm sure I've told you before, but the plan of salvation is my favorite to teach and all the gospel can be understood and related to that great plan.
Friday night we had a Halloween party. It went really well. There were over 40 people there, more than we've had at church since I've been here. There were lots of games and activities, including a pie(more of a brownie with whipped cream) eating contest. I absolutely dominated that competition, devouring my piece in 10 seconds flat. I have it on my camera even, though video is pretty poor on it. Yeah, it probably would be easier for me to buy a camera here. Just tell me when and how much I have and hopefully I can get a pretty good quality camera. And money for Christmas, I don't know that I need too much. An extra $20 this next month should be fine. I already have a lot of the stuff.
So the family we are teaching isn't doing very well. I don't really know why, they just aren't very interested and it's impossile to talk with them consistently because their phone doesn't work a lot of the time. But the work overall is going really well. We had 4 investigators at church. Adriana, who continues to progress and study tons, marking up her scriptures and writing down all her questions; Alis, a girl I hadn't even met but was able to come to the activity and to church. She connected pretty well with Cristina, one of the byu girls; Genina, no progress with her, she doesn't want to meet with us; Nicu's son, I really hope to work with him and it would be amazing to see Nicu be able to baptize him. He's 10 years old. He really liked the halloween activity and I guess asked Nicu to be able to go to church yesterday. How sweet is that! So we have a lot of cool people to work with, along with getting out the rest of the english fliers. We still have about 3000 to pass out. Should be a good week.
I never told you guys but not last week but the week before we had zone conference. It went really well and I learned a ton, as always. Also, district meetings have been going pretty well. I'm not a huge fan of sitting in front of my district and talking for 30+ minutes, but they've gone well. I don't really have to worry about my district. My companionship, the Wrights and the zone leaders.
Ok, now we're talking...things you can send me for Christmas! I have a few things in mind. One is more book of mormon characters. I gave my Ammon to David(the little boy in that family) and then had his mom read him the story. It was just a little thing, but he loved it! So that would be sweet. Also, we have sport every saturday and it's starting to get cold. I would love a pair of long soccer socks, or a couple pairs,black is best. Also Christmas music would be amazing. I love Christmas music and so yeah, send me some. I still haven't been able to put music on my ipod. It's way lame. For some reason, it won't register on the computers. Is it a different cord that I need? Like, when I plug it into a computer, it just charges the battery. And if I do get to work, how do I put more music on? What program?
Speaking of music, Nicu finished a cd he's been working on and brought a copy for everyone at church on Sunday. It has 12 hymns(our church's hymns, to be clear) and it is super good. He doesn't want to make any money off of it either. He wants to donate all of the money the CD makes and give it to the church. Amazing, huh! He is such a stud.
Sounds like it was an interesting week for you guys. Casper died and J joined the dance team. Jk, that sounds like that will be pretty sweet for you, J. Just remember who you are and be strong. Well, I am going to sign off now. I'm sending some pictures, too. I hope you enjoy them. Maybe next week I'll have one with a thumbs up for W. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
P.S. I haven't forgotten about a penpal for you S. Hopefully I'll have one for you soon.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Feeling better but work's a bit slow
Hey Everyone!
There's not a ton to report back this week. It didn't feel like we did very much, even though we worked hard every day. Attendance at church was really poor. Maybe 20 people, max. And we only had one investigator(Genina who won't even have lessons with us) at church when our goal was seven. We didn't meet a lot of our goals actually. It was kind of a disappointing week, but I still have fresh in mind the blessings that come from working hard and I have faith that those will return, even if it's not in the way I expect or with the people I expect.
The family we have been working with is not doing very well. They bunged us and I think they are losing interest. Our next lesson is going to be really important, because we need to really hit them with the Spirit and show them how this church will bless their lives like never before. We are definitely praying a lot for them.
But we have had some good lessons, too. Our last lesson with Alina was really good and she really loved the plan of salvation. We teach it in two parts and after we finished the first part, she told us she didn't want us to go, because she wanted to learn the rest. We didn't have time, but we'll go back probably Wednesday and hopefully bring Alie, one of the BYU girls. We still have a lot of investigators and it makes it so our numbers are worse, but I could care less. Like, a lesson with a progressing investigator that lasts 45 minutes and maybe takes a while to travel to is worth the same as a 5 minute lesson on the street. It's kind of lame, because I had really good numbers with Elder Platt, but it really is all about the people and that's something I'm learning. The numbers are important but I love the people I work with, and helping them progress in the gospel is definitely more important.
Yeah, I am 100% healthy now. Mom, you are exactly right, I wished you could have helped me, too. When I was at the activity Friday before last, when i was sick and told the byu girls that, " I want my mom." They pitied me, lol.
Speaking of byu girls and being sick, Danielle has been really sick for a while now. Since she's been here, we've become really good friends and I was able to give her a blessing yesterday. It was so cool, because the Spirit was so strong and I could feel it work through me to bless her. My companion said he felt like everything I said was exactly what needed to be said. I am super grateful and humbled that I had this great experience. She'll be better soon, I have no doubt.
Hmm, about my apartment here in Iasi. Well, it's better than my one in Timisoara, but only slightly. I guess I just get the dumpier apartments. We keep it pretty clean, except for right now. My companion made a breakfast cake and then I made banana bread, so it's kinda messy right now. I do have a good shower now and I'm very grateful for that.
It sounds like everyone is doing really well, as always. Dad gave a great talk and will be a great high counselor, Mom is doing great with balancing everything like only a mom can do, J dominated his football game, S defeated the undefeated in a vicious game of volleyball, E played some soccer and is going to talk about me(extra presents for you!), A is watching movies and loving life(my favorite color is red), and W is just a champion of men.
Well, everyone, I love you all! Have an incredible week. Hopefully I have one, too. We're sure going to work hard. Love you!
--Elder Ross
There's not a ton to report back this week. It didn't feel like we did very much, even though we worked hard every day. Attendance at church was really poor. Maybe 20 people, max. And we only had one investigator(Genina who won't even have lessons with us) at church when our goal was seven. We didn't meet a lot of our goals actually. It was kind of a disappointing week, but I still have fresh in mind the blessings that come from working hard and I have faith that those will return, even if it's not in the way I expect or with the people I expect.
The family we have been working with is not doing very well. They bunged us and I think they are losing interest. Our next lesson is going to be really important, because we need to really hit them with the Spirit and show them how this church will bless their lives like never before. We are definitely praying a lot for them.
But we have had some good lessons, too. Our last lesson with Alina was really good and she really loved the plan of salvation. We teach it in two parts and after we finished the first part, she told us she didn't want us to go, because she wanted to learn the rest. We didn't have time, but we'll go back probably Wednesday and hopefully bring Alie, one of the BYU girls. We still have a lot of investigators and it makes it so our numbers are worse, but I could care less. Like, a lesson with a progressing investigator that lasts 45 minutes and maybe takes a while to travel to is worth the same as a 5 minute lesson on the street. It's kind of lame, because I had really good numbers with Elder Platt, but it really is all about the people and that's something I'm learning. The numbers are important but I love the people I work with, and helping them progress in the gospel is definitely more important.
Yeah, I am 100% healthy now. Mom, you are exactly right, I wished you could have helped me, too. When I was at the activity Friday before last, when i was sick and told the byu girls that, " I want my mom." They pitied me, lol.
Speaking of byu girls and being sick, Danielle has been really sick for a while now. Since she's been here, we've become really good friends and I was able to give her a blessing yesterday. It was so cool, because the Spirit was so strong and I could feel it work through me to bless her. My companion said he felt like everything I said was exactly what needed to be said. I am super grateful and humbled that I had this great experience. She'll be better soon, I have no doubt.
Hmm, about my apartment here in Iasi. Well, it's better than my one in Timisoara, but only slightly. I guess I just get the dumpier apartments. We keep it pretty clean, except for right now. My companion made a breakfast cake and then I made banana bread, so it's kinda messy right now. I do have a good shower now and I'm very grateful for that.
It sounds like everyone is doing really well, as always. Dad gave a great talk and will be a great high counselor, Mom is doing great with balancing everything like only a mom can do, J dominated his football game, S defeated the undefeated in a vicious game of volleyball, E played some soccer and is going to talk about me(extra presents for you!), A is watching movies and loving life(my favorite color is red), and W is just a champion of men.
Well, everyone, I love you all! Have an incredible week. Hopefully I have one, too. We're sure going to work hard. Love you!
--Elder Ross
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Slower Week -- Not Feeling Well
Hey Everyone!
Not a ton of things happened this week, but it was still good. Iasi Days have been going on. It's a week(and some) long celebration in which there are tons of stands and booths everywhere, people selling everything from souvenirs to blankets and slippers to jewelry, winter coats and lots of food. It's pretty crazy, tons of people come from outside the city and lots of these booths are set up right outside our apartment and there has been a constant crowd. Going anywhere takes twice as long as usual. I bought a few things that may be going your way for Christmas : )
Last Monday, we had a FHE with the family. It went really well. We started with a prayer, we shared a spiritual thought on families. We talked about strengthening families through 3 things. I got this from one of the 70's that spoke at General Conference. The things are family prayer every day, family home evening every week and family scripture study every day. The last one is especially hard, because the children are young and don't know how to read. So, we came prepared. We had the children's version of the Book of Mormon and that was kind of our activity. We went around the room and took turns reading and we helped the kids to read just like I used to do with you guys. It was a really good time. Then we finished with dessert. I made banana bread beforehand and it was a HUGE hit... they loved it! Unfortuneatly, they didn't come to church this week. We visited them again Saturday night and they said they were coming, but for some reason it didn't happen. It's hard to set up with them, because their phone doesn't work a lot of the time. Hopefully, it does soon. What I think we really need with them, is to go over there with a member. But to do that I need to be able to set up a specific time, so that the member doesn't lose his time if they're not home. Hopefully, that happens this week. That'd be great.
I don't know why we are having problems with phones but we are. Alina's phone hasn't been working either. We have tried a bunch of times. I think we're going to stop by tonight. They probably have a house phone, I only have a cell phone number. And Ferman has been really busy and lives outside of town. He said he can meet this Thursday, so we'll talk to him then.
At ZL/DL, just like the name says, the zone leaders meet with all the district leaders in their zone. So it was the zone leaders and then four of us district leaders, one of them being Elder Selck. My presentation went alright, I think. I talked on the weekly planning meeting, why and how.I learned a lot in the meeting and it got me excited for this transfer. I still haven't had to have a district meeting yet, but that's the others' fault, just because they were out of town a lot doing exchanges. We'll have one this Wednesday so hopefully that goes well.
Man, J I know exactly how you feel. I got really sick this week and didn't work for two days, Thursday and Friday. It was super lame and I was pretty discouraged, too. No details, but I had serious bowel problems, lol, and so the doctor in Germany told me to go on an all liquid diet. I had to do that for 2 and a half days; I thought I was going to die, I was super weak from not having anything to eat. Saturday morning I felt really sick, but I was just tired of doing nothing and I forced myself to go a lesson. I felt even worse as we were going there, but afterwards I started to do better. It was after that when I ate my first food since Wednesday night and from then on I get better. I'm really glad I didn't have to go to another city for medical attention. Doctor Gardner said something about a tube the size of a garden hose getting shoved somewhere, yikes! Good thing I got better! Just hang in there, J. I'm praying for you. It will all work out.
Pass that on to Heidi, too. I am praying for her. That's rough that she has to go through all of that. Sounds like she is being taken care of though. I still don't know why I got sick and had to go through all that I did and miss two days of work, but I'm sure there was purpose in it and maybe I'll realize that later. One thing is for sure, I'm way more excited about getting out and working. I'm also humbled. I used to kind of brag when I'd say I haven't missed a single day of work on my mission, thinking I was a little better because of that. But of course I wasn't and now I know that better. Our trials are blessings in disguise.
This Sunday Nicu got confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. He also received the Aaronic Priesthood and is now a priest. He is a stud. He and his wife have two kids. No, I don't think it's always Italy, but a lot of Romanians do go there. I think it's easier to find work there and the pay is better. President Popovici's wife is actually in Greece,I was wrong when I said Italy.
Training is going really well. It's not a hard thing or a burden, the opposite I think. I mean he doesn't speak as well so I have to speak more in lessons, but that's not a problem and isn't any different than last transfer. Elder Hardman has a great spirit and loves to work hard. It's truly heartfelt everytime he bears testimony, which is something that's hard to hold onto after time. I'm going to learn a lot from him and hopefully he's going to learn a few things from me, too.
Well, I need to go now. Sounds like everyone is busy and working hard. Good luck on your games, S. Get better, J. You, too, Heidi. Dad, you're going to do great on the high council. Thanks for always being a stellar example for me. I'm glad you're enjoying your business, Mom. Keep up the great work. I love you all! Have a great week.
--Elder Ross
P.S.
For christmas or my birthday, I'm going to need a new camera. Mine's on the fritz
Not a ton of things happened this week, but it was still good. Iasi Days have been going on. It's a week(and some) long celebration in which there are tons of stands and booths everywhere, people selling everything from souvenirs to blankets and slippers to jewelry, winter coats and lots of food. It's pretty crazy, tons of people come from outside the city and lots of these booths are set up right outside our apartment and there has been a constant crowd. Going anywhere takes twice as long as usual. I bought a few things that may be going your way for Christmas : )
Last Monday, we had a FHE with the family. It went really well. We started with a prayer, we shared a spiritual thought on families. We talked about strengthening families through 3 things. I got this from one of the 70's that spoke at General Conference. The things are family prayer every day, family home evening every week and family scripture study every day. The last one is especially hard, because the children are young and don't know how to read. So, we came prepared. We had the children's version of the Book of Mormon and that was kind of our activity. We went around the room and took turns reading and we helped the kids to read just like I used to do with you guys. It was a really good time. Then we finished with dessert. I made banana bread beforehand and it was a HUGE hit... they loved it! Unfortuneatly, they didn't come to church this week. We visited them again Saturday night and they said they were coming, but for some reason it didn't happen. It's hard to set up with them, because their phone doesn't work a lot of the time. Hopefully, it does soon. What I think we really need with them, is to go over there with a member. But to do that I need to be able to set up a specific time, so that the member doesn't lose his time if they're not home. Hopefully, that happens this week. That'd be great.
I don't know why we are having problems with phones but we are. Alina's phone hasn't been working either. We have tried a bunch of times. I think we're going to stop by tonight. They probably have a house phone, I only have a cell phone number. And Ferman has been really busy and lives outside of town. He said he can meet this Thursday, so we'll talk to him then.
At ZL/DL, just like the name says, the zone leaders meet with all the district leaders in their zone. So it was the zone leaders and then four of us district leaders, one of them being Elder Selck. My presentation went alright, I think. I talked on the weekly planning meeting, why and how.I learned a lot in the meeting and it got me excited for this transfer. I still haven't had to have a district meeting yet, but that's the others' fault, just because they were out of town a lot doing exchanges. We'll have one this Wednesday so hopefully that goes well.
Man, J I know exactly how you feel. I got really sick this week and didn't work for two days, Thursday and Friday. It was super lame and I was pretty discouraged, too. No details, but I had serious bowel problems, lol, and so the doctor in Germany told me to go on an all liquid diet. I had to do that for 2 and a half days; I thought I was going to die, I was super weak from not having anything to eat. Saturday morning I felt really sick, but I was just tired of doing nothing and I forced myself to go a lesson. I felt even worse as we were going there, but afterwards I started to do better. It was after that when I ate my first food since Wednesday night and from then on I get better. I'm really glad I didn't have to go to another city for medical attention. Doctor Gardner said something about a tube the size of a garden hose getting shoved somewhere, yikes! Good thing I got better! Just hang in there, J. I'm praying for you. It will all work out.
Pass that on to Heidi, too. I am praying for her. That's rough that she has to go through all of that. Sounds like she is being taken care of though. I still don't know why I got sick and had to go through all that I did and miss two days of work, but I'm sure there was purpose in it and maybe I'll realize that later. One thing is for sure, I'm way more excited about getting out and working. I'm also humbled. I used to kind of brag when I'd say I haven't missed a single day of work on my mission, thinking I was a little better because of that. But of course I wasn't and now I know that better. Our trials are blessings in disguise.
This Sunday Nicu got confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. He also received the Aaronic Priesthood and is now a priest. He is a stud. He and his wife have two kids. No, I don't think it's always Italy, but a lot of Romanians do go there. I think it's easier to find work there and the pay is better. President Popovici's wife is actually in Greece,I was wrong when I said Italy.
Training is going really well. It's not a hard thing or a burden, the opposite I think. I mean he doesn't speak as well so I have to speak more in lessons, but that's not a problem and isn't any different than last transfer. Elder Hardman has a great spirit and loves to work hard. It's truly heartfelt everytime he bears testimony, which is something that's hard to hold onto after time. I'm going to learn a lot from him and hopefully he's going to learn a few things from me, too.
Well, I need to go now. Sounds like everyone is busy and working hard. Good luck on your games, S. Get better, J. You, too, Heidi. Dad, you're going to do great on the high council. Thanks for always being a stellar example for me. I'm glad you're enjoying your business, Mom. Keep up the great work. I love you all! Have a great week.
--Elder Ross
P.S.
For christmas or my birthday, I'm going to need a new camera. Mine's on the fritz
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
A Baptism and a Crazy Transfer Meeting
Well, everyone, the new transfer starts! It was a crazy transfer meeting! I am now a district leader and if that's not enough, I'm also training...nuts, huh!? I didn't expect that at all and I don't know if I'm ready. But it's a comfort to know that the Lord qualifies those He calls. There is a lot of responsibilty as a district leader and I still don't know I lot of it. I work a lot with the branch and meet with President Popovici every Sunday. I also am in charge of the missionaries in Iasi, but that's not as big of a responsibility right now, because there are no sisters(yeah, I do miss them, but they should be back next transfer) and the other companionship is the zone leaders. I have to prepare a presentation for ZL/DL this Wednesday, not really looking forward to that, lol. Or to running district meetings. It'll all go well, though, I'm sure.
With my new comp, I didn't break the cycle yet. He's from Utah. 6 for 6. Elder Hardman is his name. He seems ready to work hard and he's really happy to be out here in the field now. He has a really good spirit and definitely has that boboc fire. We're going to tear it up this transfer and try to get a couple baptisms, too. Actually, we already got one! I performed my first baptism ever yesterday! Nicu has made the step and next week he'll join the Church with the receiving of the Holy Ghost. It was a really great experience and it was great to be the one that did it. I guess with all these events; finishing last transfer really strong, becoming DL and trainer and having the baptism, I'm kind of on a high right now. There are ups and downs throughout a mission, but it's these times, especially the baptism, that make it all worth it.
A little update of other events at transfer meeting. Elder Jepsen, you probably remember, my last companion in Timisoara, is training, too. And so is Elder Selck, my trainer "dad"! I have a "brother," now, and best of all, he's black! The family really grew this transfer with two new additions. Also, three other Elders from my MTC group became district leaders: Elders Rigby, Rigdon and Sumbot. A lot of my group is now senior, only 2 elders out of us 12 aren't and we're only in our 6th transfer! That's super young, but that's kind of how the mission is now. To put it this way, lol, we haven't even spent 1/3 of our time out in the field yet! Craziness.
The family is doing really well. They came to church this week and stayed the whole time, even for the baptism. We're going there tonight to have family home evening with them and to show them how it runs. They are awesome and I think they will continue to progress towards baptism. Hopefully, we give them a date this week. That'd be way exciting!
We also started working with Alina, a gothic 15 year old girl. She's really cool and knows the Book of Mormon is true and feels happy when she reads it. Her problem is that she loves some really crazy music and can't even leave the house without it. It's become another idol in her life. But I think as she realizes her worth in God's eyes she will begin to change, which is something she's afraid of right now. We are going to teach her the plan of salvation next and I think it will be awesome.
Ferman is another investigator. He's come to church the last two weeks and really wants to change his life. We haven't talked to him recently, but we are going to talk with him and with President Popovici next Sunday before church. I think he will get baptized, too. We have a lot of good investigators and more than those I've talked about. There are a lot I haven't met yet, because they were the sisters' and I haven't set up yet. So hopefully I have a good update next week. : )
The Stoica family is great. The mom is the Principles of the Gospel teacher, the class for the investigators. Andreea is 17 and plays the piano for sacrament meeting and Radu, 14, is just a stud. He's super short and has a mexi-stache. They're all really active and solid.
Some of the best news ever: we're getting cell phones!! You don't even know what a huge help they will be to the work. I can't wait. We should get them by zone conference which is the 18th. When Elder Jepsen and I were companions, we would point out every situation when a cell phone would have saved us from a situation or saved us a lot of time. There were many!
So yeah, I'm pretty stoked for that.
I guess this last week I passed my 9 month mark. Not a huge deal, but it does mean my sisters are halfway done with their missions now. That's kind of a crazy thought.
Dad - Thanks for your email and the update on things. Oh yeah, I actually did get to watch the Saturday and Sunday morning sessions. The Wrights have internet and so we went there and watched it live. The other sessions were too late at night for us. I got a lot out of them, though, and it was my first time in a year.
Mom - Your emails are always very informative and thanks a lot for asking questions. It helps me to know what to write. I'm definitely the busiest I've ever been out here. I have to use exercise time in the morning to get caught up on stuff. It's good, though. A lot of my busyness comes from trying to meet with the people that the sisters used to visit. Once I get farther in there should be a better pattern and I should gain a little more time.
J - Sounds like you tore it up in the football game. That's too bad you guys lost, though. You'll just have to come back with a vengeance this week and dominate. I'm glad to hear that your leg is doing better. That's a huge blessing.
S - Don't worry about losing those volleyball games. Just have fun and play a little better every day. I'm sure you are a help to your team, too. Sounds like you had a really good time at the temple, I'm pretty jealous. Have a good week.
E - That's sweet, E, two goals is pretty impressive. Have you done your derby yet? I hope # 5 wins! What does that mean, you learned how to do better gimp? You're a stud.
A - Wow, you're learning how to type better. It shows. Your team definitely dominated at that soccer game, 6 -0. I hope the other team didn't cry. You're right, I'm having lots of fun in Romania. I miss you guys, though.
W - Hey buddy! I'm glad you like how I'm on a mission. I like it, too. It's going really well and I must be doing something, because I have a lot to do now. The food out here can be really, really good, but yeah, sometimes it's pretty gross. Overall, I like it, though. I wish I had a bike or a car. I walk everywhere or take a tramvai, a street trolley I guess you'd call it. Have a good day, Wesley!
L - I hope you have a lot of fun meeting Heather(Sora Beck). I told her to only say good things about me so we'll find out.
Alright all, I hope that was a decent update. I'm doing really well, a little sick today, but I'm sure it won't get me down. Haven't missed a day of missionary work yet and I don't plan on it. I love you all! Have a fantastic week!
--Elder Ross
With my new comp, I didn't break the cycle yet. He's from Utah. 6 for 6. Elder Hardman is his name. He seems ready to work hard and he's really happy to be out here in the field now. He has a really good spirit and definitely has that boboc fire. We're going to tear it up this transfer and try to get a couple baptisms, too. Actually, we already got one! I performed my first baptism ever yesterday! Nicu has made the step and next week he'll join the Church with the receiving of the Holy Ghost. It was a really great experience and it was great to be the one that did it. I guess with all these events; finishing last transfer really strong, becoming DL and trainer and having the baptism, I'm kind of on a high right now. There are ups and downs throughout a mission, but it's these times, especially the baptism, that make it all worth it.
A little update of other events at transfer meeting. Elder Jepsen, you probably remember, my last companion in Timisoara, is training, too. And so is Elder Selck, my trainer "dad"! I have a "brother," now, and best of all, he's black! The family really grew this transfer with two new additions. Also, three other Elders from my MTC group became district leaders: Elders Rigby, Rigdon and Sumbot. A lot of my group is now senior, only 2 elders out of us 12 aren't and we're only in our 6th transfer! That's super young, but that's kind of how the mission is now. To put it this way, lol, we haven't even spent 1/3 of our time out in the field yet! Craziness.
The family is doing really well. They came to church this week and stayed the whole time, even for the baptism. We're going there tonight to have family home evening with them and to show them how it runs. They are awesome and I think they will continue to progress towards baptism. Hopefully, we give them a date this week. That'd be way exciting!
We also started working with Alina, a gothic 15 year old girl. She's really cool and knows the Book of Mormon is true and feels happy when she reads it. Her problem is that she loves some really crazy music and can't even leave the house without it. It's become another idol in her life. But I think as she realizes her worth in God's eyes she will begin to change, which is something she's afraid of right now. We are going to teach her the plan of salvation next and I think it will be awesome.
Ferman is another investigator. He's come to church the last two weeks and really wants to change his life. We haven't talked to him recently, but we are going to talk with him and with President Popovici next Sunday before church. I think he will get baptized, too. We have a lot of good investigators and more than those I've talked about. There are a lot I haven't met yet, because they were the sisters' and I haven't set up yet. So hopefully I have a good update next week. : )
The Stoica family is great. The mom is the Principles of the Gospel teacher, the class for the investigators. Andreea is 17 and plays the piano for sacrament meeting and Radu, 14, is just a stud. He's super short and has a mexi-stache. They're all really active and solid.
Some of the best news ever: we're getting cell phones!! You don't even know what a huge help they will be to the work. I can't wait. We should get them by zone conference which is the 18th. When Elder Jepsen and I were companions, we would point out every situation when a cell phone would have saved us from a situation or saved us a lot of time. There were many!
So yeah, I'm pretty stoked for that.
I guess this last week I passed my 9 month mark. Not a huge deal, but it does mean my sisters are halfway done with their missions now. That's kind of a crazy thought.
Dad - Thanks for your email and the update on things. Oh yeah, I actually did get to watch the Saturday and Sunday morning sessions. The Wrights have internet and so we went there and watched it live. The other sessions were too late at night for us. I got a lot out of them, though, and it was my first time in a year.
Mom - Your emails are always very informative and thanks a lot for asking questions. It helps me to know what to write. I'm definitely the busiest I've ever been out here. I have to use exercise time in the morning to get caught up on stuff. It's good, though. A lot of my busyness comes from trying to meet with the people that the sisters used to visit. Once I get farther in there should be a better pattern and I should gain a little more time.
J - Sounds like you tore it up in the football game. That's too bad you guys lost, though. You'll just have to come back with a vengeance this week and dominate. I'm glad to hear that your leg is doing better. That's a huge blessing.
S - Don't worry about losing those volleyball games. Just have fun and play a little better every day. I'm sure you are a help to your team, too. Sounds like you had a really good time at the temple, I'm pretty jealous. Have a good week.
E - That's sweet, E, two goals is pretty impressive. Have you done your derby yet? I hope # 5 wins! What does that mean, you learned how to do better gimp? You're a stud.
A - Wow, you're learning how to type better. It shows. Your team definitely dominated at that soccer game, 6 -0. I hope the other team didn't cry. You're right, I'm having lots of fun in Romania. I miss you guys, though.
W - Hey buddy! I'm glad you like how I'm on a mission. I like it, too. It's going really well and I must be doing something, because I have a lot to do now. The food out here can be really, really good, but yeah, sometimes it's pretty gross. Overall, I like it, though. I wish I had a bike or a car. I walk everywhere or take a tramvai, a street trolley I guess you'd call it. Have a good day, Wesley!
L - I hope you have a lot of fun meeting Heather(Sora Beck). I told her to only say good things about me so we'll find out.
Alright all, I hope that was a decent update. I'm doing really well, a little sick today, but I'm sure it won't get me down. Haven't missed a day of missionary work yet and I don't plan on it. I love you all! Have a fantastic week!
--Elder Ross
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Transfer Calls - Staying in Place
Craziness!!!! So we got transfer calls this morning and guess what happened?! The whole city of Iasi is transferred except for me!! Elder Magleby and Elder Davis are whitewashed out and the sisters are too, but they're also closing their apartment down. There aren't going to be sisters here next transfer : ( And then Elder Platt is transferred, too. So no pressure on me, lol. I don't even know the city that well and I'm going to be the one showing all the missionaries that come in around. And I also need to take on the sisters investigators and work with their members. Of course I can divide that with the other set of elders, but it's still a lot of work to be done. Crazy! I wonder who my next companion will be. I'm really excited for transfer meeting. It's a special one and the whole mission will be there, even people that aren't transferred. It'll be great to see all the people and friends I know.
This last week was pretty good. We had some pretty good numbers. Like we had 118 contacts in one day! I've had weeks with less than that. That was helped by a bloc knocking exchange we had, where I went with Petru and Elder Platter went with Mihai, so we had double the force. Sora Beck, my mission mom, is gone! We took her to the train station last night and so that's that. Oh man, Sora Rappleye wasn't told that she is transferred until this morning, so she went to Bucharest last night without her baggage and now she has to come back(she'll get here at 2am tomorrow morning) and pack and then she'll go down again with us.
Thanks a lot for asking a lot of questions, because I don't really feel like writing a lot today. So I'll respond to your questions and hopefully that covers a lot. Btw, this crazy mass pullout of Iasi, we decided, is because we did so well this last transfer. I think we were the best district in the mission actually. So the strategy is to take all of us and spread us across the whole mission and then everything well grow. Lol, just our thoughts.
Oh, how the transfer call works is that after it's all figured out, mostly between President and the AP's, then the AP's call all the Zone Leaders and then the Zone Leaders call their District Leaders and their District Leaders call everyone in the districts.
The family came to the picnic, with the exception of the husband, and I think they had a really good time. Tina wouldn't leave me, lol, and I was playing with her like the whole time. She's a way cute little girl. All the kids are actually. Maybe I'll send some pictures at one point. No, I never used the flannel boards. Young kids are so rare I never had a chance and it wasn't worth carrying them around.
There are families that are close to complete. The Stoicas are all members except for the husband. And the branch president's family is all members, but his wife is in Italy most of the year. Outreach is going alright, not too good as of late, but a lot of that might be kids starting school and getting into the new schedule. No, we're not teaching any young adults now.
Gabriella sounded really good when I talked to her on the phone. She was really glad I called. Yeah, I think there a members to fellowship her, but to be honest she's a better member than almost all of them and probably knows the gospel a lot better. She's a really smart, classy lady. I don't know if she has a calling yet.
I'm really glad things are going really well for all of you and especially that J's hairy leg isn't doing too bad. Thanks a lot for trying to write me S. You are the awesome and I don't even mind that I didn't get the email. It means a lot to me that you just tried.
I'm way excited for this next week. I have a lot to do to get ready to go down to Bucharest and I really hope I'm up to running the city of Iasi for a little while, at least until the others, whoever they are, learn the members and the area. Woohoo, can't wait! I hope you all have a fantastic week and I love you all.
--Elder Ross
This last week was pretty good. We had some pretty good numbers. Like we had 118 contacts in one day! I've had weeks with less than that. That was helped by a bloc knocking exchange we had, where I went with Petru and Elder Platter went with Mihai, so we had double the force. Sora Beck, my mission mom, is gone! We took her to the train station last night and so that's that. Oh man, Sora Rappleye wasn't told that she is transferred until this morning, so she went to Bucharest last night without her baggage and now she has to come back(she'll get here at 2am tomorrow morning) and pack and then she'll go down again with us.
Thanks a lot for asking a lot of questions, because I don't really feel like writing a lot today. So I'll respond to your questions and hopefully that covers a lot. Btw, this crazy mass pullout of Iasi, we decided, is because we did so well this last transfer. I think we were the best district in the mission actually. So the strategy is to take all of us and spread us across the whole mission and then everything well grow. Lol, just our thoughts.
Oh, how the transfer call works is that after it's all figured out, mostly between President and the AP's, then the AP's call all the Zone Leaders and then the Zone Leaders call their District Leaders and their District Leaders call everyone in the districts.
The family came to the picnic, with the exception of the husband, and I think they had a really good time. Tina wouldn't leave me, lol, and I was playing with her like the whole time. She's a way cute little girl. All the kids are actually. Maybe I'll send some pictures at one point. No, I never used the flannel boards. Young kids are so rare I never had a chance and it wasn't worth carrying them around.
There are families that are close to complete. The Stoicas are all members except for the husband. And the branch president's family is all members, but his wife is in Italy most of the year. Outreach is going alright, not too good as of late, but a lot of that might be kids starting school and getting into the new schedule. No, we're not teaching any young adults now.
Gabriella sounded really good when I talked to her on the phone. She was really glad I called. Yeah, I think there a members to fellowship her, but to be honest she's a better member than almost all of them and probably knows the gospel a lot better. She's a really smart, classy lady. I don't know if she has a calling yet.
I'm really glad things are going really well for all of you and especially that J's hairy leg isn't doing too bad. Thanks a lot for trying to write me S. You are the awesome and I don't even mind that I didn't get the email. It means a lot to me that you just tried.
I'm way excited for this next week. I have a lot to do to get ready to go down to Bucharest and I really hope I'm up to running the city of Iasi for a little while, at least until the others, whoever they are, learn the members and the area. Woohoo, can't wait! I hope you all have a fantastic week and I love you all.
--Elder Ross
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