Hey Amazing People!
So it's a little after 6:30 a.m. right now!! Basically, our day was so full today that we needed to come to internet early to fit it all in. So, we got up even earlier than usual, 6am, to get here. So, if you guys are still sending emails or need to say something, I'm checking my email again at the Wrights, because today we get transfer calls! I forgot to mention it last week, but yeah, I'm pretty anxious to see what happens.
So, it's Christmas Eve! It's crazy, I can't believe Christmas is pretty much here already! No, I didn't get your package yet, I'll get it on Friday. But I have a few things to open so it's definitely ok. This way I get two Christmases(what is the plural for Christmas anyway??) Besides, I got one of the best Christmas presents yesterday. Gianina has a baptismal date!! She is getting baptized in two weeks. It will be really sad if I get transferred, but if that's what is supposed to happen, then it's ok.
It was a hard week in the blocs because of Christmas coming up and we only got one new investigator, but the rest of our week went really well. We got a baptismal date(pretty huge) and we had 8 lessons with a member present. One was with Alexandra Popovici(the branch president's daughter), who is inactive, but she was willing to help and did really well, bore good testimony. I think by using her, it might help her to feel the Spirit again and bring her back. Also, the BYU girls will be glad to hear, Aurelia hasn't dropped off the face of the planet. She came to Outreach both days and came caroling with us on Saturday. She'll be fine. Caroling was a big success by the way. We visited tons of members and they loved it. We did that the whole day.
Oh man, lame story of the day. I was messing around with my camera and I accidentally formatted it, basically deleting all my pictures! It was way lame. I took some pictures from my companion and I've taken a few since then, so I'm trying to build the collection back up. I'm just glad I've sent you guys a lot of pictures and that they are preserved. Still, it was a little depressing, lol.
To explain why today is busy, we are going to Little Texas this after this, then we have to get in Harry Potter 5(we've already watched Spiderman 3, Fantastic 4 - Silver Surfer, and Eragon. Man, movies are sooo good when you haven't seen them in a year!!). Then we have a Christmas dinner at the Wrights, then we're going to Diverta and getting a few more movies and then we're going to Cristina and Narcis' to watch movies with them and hang out with them. Tomorrow, open presents, go to a members and watch movies, it'll be chill. Transfer meeting got moved to Friday, so we don't leave until later in the week.
Oh man, I got food poisoned this week! It was something we ate after distict meeting. After the meal, I was feeling really rough after a few minutes and I went into the bathroom and threw up everything(I eat a lot when we're there, so it hurt, lol). It was lame, I can't say it's been years since I've thrown up now. I felt better after that, though. Elder Dabling threw up as well and the other two were feeling really sick, so Elder Hardman took a long nap when we got home. He felt a little better, but was sick throughout the day.
Ok, so I don't really want to write a ton now. I don't have a lot of time anyway. I will talk to you guys really soon! I can't wait! I love you guys, and all those that read this, too. You're all the best!
--Elder Ross
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The Rest of the Story - A Moldovan Blessing
In the previous letter, Elder Ross talked about a blessing he gave. Here is the rest of the story of the investigator told by a sister missionary via her mom. (He hasn't heard this story yet.)
Hi all.
I just read my email from my daughter this morning, and wanted to share with you a part of it. Just a little background on Luidmila, when she started coming to church she was very rough, had piercings all over her face, very biker hard core type, but when she felt the spirit she started removing her piercings, came to everything at church, stayed for all 3 hours on Sunday, began wearing a dress, total committment. Then she just dropped off the face of the earth, and Brianna was so sad because she knew the hard life Luidmila has, and also knew the difference the gospel was making in her life.
Here is what happened (from Brianna's email):
We had so many miracles this week, but one that I want to be sure to talk about is that Liudmila came back! I know crazy. She just showed up on Friday when we were waiting for Maria to finish with her interview.(Note: Maria was baptized that day) We were standing around talking to the other missionaries and she just walked in. After us not talking or hearing from her for 2 1/2 weeks it was almost like a ghost walking in the room. It seemed like an eternity to me even though it was only a few weeks. We found out that the reason why she hadn't come was because she had been in a major automobile accident and had been unconscious in the hospital for 2 weeks! Because she wasn't conscious and nobody knew to call us, we just thought thatshe had dropped us. She was like, "I am in the hospital still but I told the doctor I was going to leave for an hour so that I could see you." So, she's back! She still has some short term memory loss problems and one cracked rib and a broken one and is in alot of pain, hense still being in the hospital.
We asked her if she wanted a priesthood blessing and she agreed without hesitation. Because the elders in our district were all busy we pulled two other elders from our zone that were there for the Christmas Party, Elder L and Elder C to give her a blessing.
It was amazing you guys. These boys don't know anything about her, not about her problems, trials, life, and not much about her accident either,basically we just told them that she had been in a car accident and they gave her a blessing. The blessing that they gave her was so beautiful. I cannot even explain to you how personal it was. It talked about everything that she needed to hear.
That's why I know two things, #1 Those boys were worthy and #2 Heavenly Father works on the earth through the Priesthood power which is real and wonderful. The spirit was so strong.
Brianna will probably miss Luidmila's baptism, but I feel certain that she will be baptized, and Heavenly Father will bring amazing blessings into her life. Thanks to two moms for raising worthy young men who were in tune with the spirit and who gave that wonderful blessing to a young lady whose life it will change!
Hi all.
I just read my email from my daughter this morning, and wanted to share with you a part of it. Just a little background on Luidmila, when she started coming to church she was very rough, had piercings all over her face, very biker hard core type, but when she felt the spirit she started removing her piercings, came to everything at church, stayed for all 3 hours on Sunday, began wearing a dress, total committment. Then she just dropped off the face of the earth, and Brianna was so sad because she knew the hard life Luidmila has, and also knew the difference the gospel was making in her life.
Here is what happened (from Brianna's email):
We had so many miracles this week, but one that I want to be sure to talk about is that Liudmila came back! I know crazy. She just showed up on Friday when we were waiting for Maria to finish with her interview.(Note: Maria was baptized that day) We were standing around talking to the other missionaries and she just walked in. After us not talking or hearing from her for 2 1/2 weeks it was almost like a ghost walking in the room. It seemed like an eternity to me even though it was only a few weeks. We found out that the reason why she hadn't come was because she had been in a major automobile accident and had been unconscious in the hospital for 2 weeks! Because she wasn't conscious and nobody knew to call us, we just thought thatshe had dropped us. She was like, "I am in the hospital still but I told the doctor I was going to leave for an hour so that I could see you." So, she's back! She still has some short term memory loss problems and one cracked rib and a broken one and is in alot of pain, hense still being in the hospital.
We asked her if she wanted a priesthood blessing and she agreed without hesitation. Because the elders in our district were all busy we pulled two other elders from our zone that were there for the Christmas Party, Elder L and Elder C to give her a blessing.
It was amazing you guys. These boys don't know anything about her, not about her problems, trials, life, and not much about her accident either,basically we just told them that she had been in a car accident and they gave her a blessing. The blessing that they gave her was so beautiful. I cannot even explain to you how personal it was. It talked about everything that she needed to hear.
That's why I know two things, #1 Those boys were worthy and #2 Heavenly Father works on the earth through the Priesthood power which is real and wonderful. The spirit was so strong.
Brianna will probably miss Luidmila's baptism, but I feel certain that she will be baptized, and Heavenly Father will bring amazing blessings into her life. Thanks to two moms for raising worthy young men who were in tune with the spirit and who gave that wonderful blessing to a young lady whose life it will change!
A Book of Mormon found
Hey Everyone!!!
This last week has been really good and a lot of fun. Not only did the work go really well, but we had a lot of fun, too. And on top of that, it's snowing now! The city has totally changed and it is so beautiful! There is a pretty good layer of snow and it is way fun to play in. On Saturday we got in a big snowball fight, in between our English classes, with the BYU girls and it was a blast. Afterwards I couldn't even feel my hands, but it was definitely worth it.
Let's see...some highlights of the week. Tuesday and Wednesday were awesome days and they really showed why not counting contacts is way better than worrying about them. I'm definitely an advocate of that program our zone is doing and I'm happy to say I had my little part in getting that started. Anyway, Tuesday my companion and I only had a little bit of time to go to the blocs, but we went determined to try to find some new investigators. We had a lesson with a lady we found last week and we gave her a Book of Mormon. She's really sweet and called us her children. Then we started knocking doors.
We had one lesson that wasn't too good, nothing special. He took the pamphlet but didn't give us his number. After a while we bloc-knocked into this older guy. We started talking to him, then his wife came to the door. We kept talking to them and she kept asking us what church we are from. We kept telling her, but it's a long name, even more so in Romanian, and all the churches here have short names; Orthodox, Adventist, Baptist, etc. Eventually, my companion handed the old man his Book of Mormon and pointed to where it says the Church's name on the back. He disappeared to find his glasses. We kept talking to his wife and a minute later he came back, holding another Book of Mormon. It was an older one, an edition from 1998 before they added the guide. It was burned and rain damaged but mostly intact. He found it in the woods, nestled in the branches of a tree. He's read the whole thing and loves the book. It's a way amazing story. So they let us in and we had a really good time with them. Unfortunately they are really Orthodox and they don't understand the significance of the Book of Mormon and how it is a proof of this church.
We went back there yesterday and gave him a new Book of Mormon. The 1st couple pages of his are burnt so he can't read, the introduction and a couple other things. He said he doesn't need the old one anymore, so he gave it to me! I'm going to hang on to it forever. I'll send you a picture of it soon. It's pretty sweet.
Then we went to English and our classes were small, but because they were small we had really good lessons that were longer than normal and talked a lot about the Book of Mormon. We gave out 3 Books of Mormon, so 4 on the day! And set up with 2 of them to meet next week and to talk more. It was an incredible day, giving out that many Books of Mormon and gaining 3 new investigators as well.
Wednesday was an incredible day, too. We had exchanges and I was with Elder Middleton. We had a really full day, meeting with lots of members. All of those went really well; Florin, Fratele Pitulan, Ioana(we had a really good lesson with her. Danielle helped us out and she did an incredible job. The Spirit was really strong), Diamanta and Petru. In between those, we had some time to go to the blocs and find some more investigators. We just had a really good attitude, like let's go find some people to teach, and it worked out for us. We went to the door after Bica's(the couple with the burnt Book of Mormon), because they were the last ones we talked to, and while we were knocking on that door, he came out and said he wanted a new Book of Mormon so he could read all of the pages in the front. So we set up with him and so got two new investigators(the definition for a new investigator is you've had one lesson and set up to come again). Then we went and knock some doors, had a not-so-good lesson. It seems we always have one of those before we found someone really cool, because then we found a couple that is really friendly and open and had an awesome lesson with them. Then we set up to go back on Saturday. We didn't think we would have our 2nd English class on Saturday, so we planned it then. We ended up having a class because Diamanta came with a friend, so we ran exchanges and Elder Middleton and Elder Hardman went out to that lesson and I just taught the class on my own. It went well, it was a really fun class. My companion said the lesson went well, too. They planted a Book of Mormon, which is always good. Just like the example we got from Mr. Bica, you never know how it will make its way into the right person's hands. So, Wednesday was solid, four more new investigators, making the weekly total 7, more than my companion and I have had in the last transfer!
Thursday, we had a good district meeting(I asked Elder Middleton to run it this week) and an awesome lunch like always. The BYU girls dropped in to give me something to take to Sora Rappleye and they got force fed some cake by Sora Wright, lol. We had interviews with President Ashby that day. They went really well, nothing special. And then we went to Chisinau that night. The Christmas party was fun, though different than I expected. Hey, there may be pictures of me on Sora Ashby's blog! The first couple hours was games. Sora Ashby told us that if we put together a puzzle that was out and got done by 12, we would get a prize. It was 10. Sora Rappleye and I quickly assembled our team of professional puzzle players and got to work. There were 6 of us and we finished the puzzle at 10:40! Sora Ashby was really impressed and said that we set a record. What can I say, all my puzzle training at Outreach with Danielle paid off. Lol, I'd always have a few minutes in between lessons and we have taken on dozens of puzzles together!
After that, we did skits. Our district ran a "zone conference." Elder Middleton welcomed everyone out, then Elder Hardman and I were the AP's. I was Selck and he was Banu and it was sooo fun. Our zone leaders didn't tell us what we were doing until like 2 minutes before we were up so it was all on the spot but that's what made it fun and it was super funny.We had an amazing lunch, done by a lady that caters for the US Embassy. I ate Caviar for the first time in my life! Not bad...not good, either, lol. Then we had the tie exchange and I came out with a decent tie and then we watched The Nativity Story. It was good.
Afterwards, while interviews were going on, we watched We Are Marshall. It's really good. I missed the ending, but it's ok, because I gave a blessing to one of Sora Rappleye's investigators. Man, I love giving blessings. I always have such a sweet feeling afterwards, even when I'm not voice. I was this time and it was a really good experience. I was glad to be able to help out.
So, this morning the BYU girls left. :( They've all become super good friends and I'm going to miss them. They've done a ton for this branch, too, and all of them have grown from their experiences here. It's been cool to be the one missionary that was here when they came and was here when they left. It was sad to say goodbye to them, but I'm happy they get to be with their families for Christmas and I'm sure I'll see them again. Oh, Mom, this email is going to them, too, so can you get their emails from it and send them my letter every week or tell them about the blog or whatever it is you do. Thanks!
Well, that was my week. Next week, when I write it will be Christmas Eve!!! I am super excited for Christmas and I really can't wait to talk to my amazing family! Sorry, I didn't get Alina's email yet. She's still grounded and she didn't answer when we called last night. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten! And yeah, I listen to tons of Christmas music! Pretty much all I listen to, and some Disney music, like "The Best of Friends". Nope, just church Christmas music. We have some White Christmas, some Beach Boys, etc all mellow, approved music, don't worry! And it's all thanks to Alie, one of the BYU girls. She hooked us up well!
Well, I think that is my weekly update. You guys are the best. I love you tons! Happy Holidays!
--Elder Ross
This last week has been really good and a lot of fun. Not only did the work go really well, but we had a lot of fun, too. And on top of that, it's snowing now! The city has totally changed and it is so beautiful! There is a pretty good layer of snow and it is way fun to play in. On Saturday we got in a big snowball fight, in between our English classes, with the BYU girls and it was a blast. Afterwards I couldn't even feel my hands, but it was definitely worth it.
Let's see...some highlights of the week. Tuesday and Wednesday were awesome days and they really showed why not counting contacts is way better than worrying about them. I'm definitely an advocate of that program our zone is doing and I'm happy to say I had my little part in getting that started. Anyway, Tuesday my companion and I only had a little bit of time to go to the blocs, but we went determined to try to find some new investigators. We had a lesson with a lady we found last week and we gave her a Book of Mormon. She's really sweet and called us her children. Then we started knocking doors.
We had one lesson that wasn't too good, nothing special. He took the pamphlet but didn't give us his number. After a while we bloc-knocked into this older guy. We started talking to him, then his wife came to the door. We kept talking to them and she kept asking us what church we are from. We kept telling her, but it's a long name, even more so in Romanian, and all the churches here have short names; Orthodox, Adventist, Baptist, etc. Eventually, my companion handed the old man his Book of Mormon and pointed to where it says the Church's name on the back. He disappeared to find his glasses. We kept talking to his wife and a minute later he came back, holding another Book of Mormon. It was an older one, an edition from 1998 before they added the guide. It was burned and rain damaged but mostly intact. He found it in the woods, nestled in the branches of a tree. He's read the whole thing and loves the book. It's a way amazing story. So they let us in and we had a really good time with them. Unfortunately they are really Orthodox and they don't understand the significance of the Book of Mormon and how it is a proof of this church.
We went back there yesterday and gave him a new Book of Mormon. The 1st couple pages of his are burnt so he can't read, the introduction and a couple other things. He said he doesn't need the old one anymore, so he gave it to me! I'm going to hang on to it forever. I'll send you a picture of it soon. It's pretty sweet.
Then we went to English and our classes were small, but because they were small we had really good lessons that were longer than normal and talked a lot about the Book of Mormon. We gave out 3 Books of Mormon, so 4 on the day! And set up with 2 of them to meet next week and to talk more. It was an incredible day, giving out that many Books of Mormon and gaining 3 new investigators as well.
Wednesday was an incredible day, too. We had exchanges and I was with Elder Middleton. We had a really full day, meeting with lots of members. All of those went really well; Florin, Fratele Pitulan, Ioana(we had a really good lesson with her. Danielle helped us out and she did an incredible job. The Spirit was really strong), Diamanta and Petru. In between those, we had some time to go to the blocs and find some more investigators. We just had a really good attitude, like let's go find some people to teach, and it worked out for us. We went to the door after Bica's(the couple with the burnt Book of Mormon), because they were the last ones we talked to, and while we were knocking on that door, he came out and said he wanted a new Book of Mormon so he could read all of the pages in the front. So we set up with him and so got two new investigators(the definition for a new investigator is you've had one lesson and set up to come again). Then we went and knock some doors, had a not-so-good lesson. It seems we always have one of those before we found someone really cool, because then we found a couple that is really friendly and open and had an awesome lesson with them. Then we set up to go back on Saturday. We didn't think we would have our 2nd English class on Saturday, so we planned it then. We ended up having a class because Diamanta came with a friend, so we ran exchanges and Elder Middleton and Elder Hardman went out to that lesson and I just taught the class on my own. It went well, it was a really fun class. My companion said the lesson went well, too. They planted a Book of Mormon, which is always good. Just like the example we got from Mr. Bica, you never know how it will make its way into the right person's hands. So, Wednesday was solid, four more new investigators, making the weekly total 7, more than my companion and I have had in the last transfer!
Thursday, we had a good district meeting(I asked Elder Middleton to run it this week) and an awesome lunch like always. The BYU girls dropped in to give me something to take to Sora Rappleye and they got force fed some cake by Sora Wright, lol. We had interviews with President Ashby that day. They went really well, nothing special. And then we went to Chisinau that night. The Christmas party was fun, though different than I expected. Hey, there may be pictures of me on Sora Ashby's blog! The first couple hours was games. Sora Ashby told us that if we put together a puzzle that was out and got done by 12, we would get a prize. It was 10. Sora Rappleye and I quickly assembled our team of professional puzzle players and got to work. There were 6 of us and we finished the puzzle at 10:40! Sora Ashby was really impressed and said that we set a record. What can I say, all my puzzle training at Outreach with Danielle paid off. Lol, I'd always have a few minutes in between lessons and we have taken on dozens of puzzles together!
After that, we did skits. Our district ran a "zone conference." Elder Middleton welcomed everyone out, then Elder Hardman and I were the AP's. I was Selck and he was Banu and it was sooo fun. Our zone leaders didn't tell us what we were doing until like 2 minutes before we were up so it was all on the spot but that's what made it fun and it was super funny.We had an amazing lunch, done by a lady that caters for the US Embassy. I ate Caviar for the first time in my life! Not bad...not good, either, lol. Then we had the tie exchange and I came out with a decent tie and then we watched The Nativity Story. It was good.
Afterwards, while interviews were going on, we watched We Are Marshall. It's really good. I missed the ending, but it's ok, because I gave a blessing to one of Sora Rappleye's investigators. Man, I love giving blessings. I always have such a sweet feeling afterwards, even when I'm not voice. I was this time and it was a really good experience. I was glad to be able to help out.
So, this morning the BYU girls left. :( They've all become super good friends and I'm going to miss them. They've done a ton for this branch, too, and all of them have grown from their experiences here. It's been cool to be the one missionary that was here when they came and was here when they left. It was sad to say goodbye to them, but I'm happy they get to be with their families for Christmas and I'm sure I'll see them again. Oh, Mom, this email is going to them, too, so can you get their emails from it and send them my letter every week or tell them about the blog or whatever it is you do. Thanks!
Well, that was my week. Next week, when I write it will be Christmas Eve!!! I am super excited for Christmas and I really can't wait to talk to my amazing family! Sorry, I didn't get Alina's email yet. She's still grounded and she didn't answer when we called last night. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten! And yeah, I listen to tons of Christmas music! Pretty much all I listen to, and some Disney music, like "The Best of Friends". Nope, just church Christmas music. We have some White Christmas, some Beach Boys, etc all mellow, approved music, don't worry! And it's all thanks to Alie, one of the BYU girls. She hooked us up well!
Well, I think that is my weekly update. You guys are the best. I love you tons! Happy Holidays!
--Elder Ross
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Slower week but working hard
Hey Everyone!
It was really good to get all of your emails this week and to hear from you all. This week has been a slower one but we have worked really hard so I feel good about it. There were definitely a lot of fun times in this week, too! For starters, last P-day we went ATVing! It was so sweet. Radu, one of the other elders' investigators took us to a course in town and it was really good. Like tons of hills, ditches, rocks, tires, etc. Man, after about 10 minutes(it was 30 minutes and only cost about$12) my muscles were getting sore and it was way hard to use my thumb to push the gas. I was definitely sore for like 3 days afterwards and some of the skin on my hand wore off, but it was undoubtedly worth it. Such a blast.
We also had a branch activity on Friday. It was super fun as well. The BYU girls with a couple of the sisters from the branch made sarmale and fruit salad. So we had a big meal, then the BYU girls sang a couple songs along with Nicu. Silent Night and then a way cool sounding Romanian carol. Elder Dabling also sang a song, I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day, or whatever that song is called. Vasile, a member from Constanta here in Iasi for school, sang and played on his guitar. It was just a really chill activity to just listen to music and to talk(Elder Hardman and I sat in the back with the BYU girls. We've kind of been "their" elders. We always translate for them and help them when they want to visit people. I'll say more about that later :) .) Later, President Popovici called out for some American carols so all of us Americans went up there and sang a couple songs. We wish you a merry christmas and rudolph the red nosed reindeer, a couple more maybe, I don't really remember.
Saturday, we had sport for the very last time. Last week was going to be the last time but Diamanta wanted us to do it for one more week. We went and played basketball again. It was sooo much fun! I pretty much tore it up, lol. There weren't a ton of people there. Elder Hardman, Elder Middleton and myself, Danielle, Christina, Laura and Natasha, well, I guess all the BYU girls except for Alie(she's still reconvering from being sick), Aurelia and Ioana. I was on a team with all girls, naturally, and we whooped the other team pretty good, even though they had two guys, both of which play pretty well. Anyway, it was super fun and it just felt so good to play some basketball.
Sunday, was fun. We had some really good speakers yesterday. Elder Hardman spoke first and he did a really good job. Then Nicu spoke on the power and authority of the priesthood, a really good talk. The last scheduled speaker was Alie and she asked me to translate for her. It went pretty well, I thought. I did a lot better than last time. Still made some mistakes, but it happens. Man, I always get super hot when I'm translating. When I sat back down the first thing I did was take off my suit coat. It must be the mental concentration because I seriously thought it was like 100 degrees. It was good, though and I'm glad I got to translate for her. I translated for the girls during Sunday School, too, and then Nicu taught in priesthood. It was a good 3 hour block.
After church, we went with the BYU girls to Sora Genoveva's place. That was a ton of fun, too. She made us an excellent meal and it was just fun to talk with her and the girls. Oh man, at one point she pointed to Laura and told her to come with her. Then she pointed to me and Danielle, but we didn't know which one of us she wanted. So we figured me, because Laura is leaving today(the others leave next week) and so maybe Sora Genoveva wants to give her something and wants me to translate for her. So I walked in the other room and Sora Genoveva was holding up a bunch of tights(still in their packages) and handing some to Laura. She saw me and was like, what are you doing here, this is for girls! It was really funny and all the girls were laughing super hard. I guess she just had some tights she wanted to give them. They tried them on and then wore them home.
Then one of the biggest highlights of the week was last night. We went to the BYU girls' apartment to give them their Christmas presents. Haha, they were such good presents. We got each of them a shirt that says, Look What I Found in Romania, then below it has a picture of my companion and I. Then below that it says, I Love My Romanian Elders. It was a huge hit, they LOVED the shirts. It was super funny, too, to watch their faces as they all unwrapped their shirts and started laughing. It was soo fun. We hung out with them for a little bit(it was at like 8pm, so we didn't have anything else planned) and just chilled and talked. They are all super cool girls. I'm going to miss them when they go. I'm the one elder that was here when they came and I'll be here when they leave. They've all become really good friends and it's cool to me to know that you can find friends. Who would have thought I'd make American friends(mormon nonetheless) in the middle of Romania.
This week, as far as missionary work goes, was interesting. Our zone is on a probe, like we're the test to see if not counting contacts will improve the work. So, my companion and I worked really hard this week. We were in the blocs almost every single day, trying to find new investigators, new people to progress in the gospel. A lot of our investigators now aren't meeting with us and we don't know why. So we've been trying to find new ones. For example, we still haven't met with Alina. She bunged us two more times, the last one because she got grounded for two weeks and so she can't do anything, not even come to church. She can't use her computer either, so I'll get her email for you, Serena, when she is free again. Gianina was unreachable(turned out she had been visiting her grandmother, but came to church yesterday) and Cristi and Nicoleta haven't answered their phone in a long time. Adriana dropped her baptismal date and said she doesn't want to be baptized, she doesn't understand why there has to be a church. If she has faith, then that's enough. I hate that argument. It's so prevalent here in Romania.
We found one new investigator, an older guy who's really friendly. We've given him a Book of Mormon and he wants to come to church(he was out of town yesterday so didn't come), so we'll see what happens. So of all of our whole week and going to the blocs so much, he was the only new investigator we got. At times that was discouraging, but my companion and I talked about it and we know that worked hard. We're glad that we didn't count contacts, even though we would have had a ton. I don't want that false sense of achievement. But I'm comforted by the fact that I know I worked hard and God knows I worked hard. That's all that matters.
Those are good questions, Dad. I'm not exactly sure what youth do here. To be sure, there are way more activities and youth do a lot more in America. A lot of people play soccer, but for the most part people just hang out with their friends, and if they play sports, then it's with their friends, not an organization or league. That's probably a big reason why so many youth smoke and start really young, too. I've seen 10 year olds smoking, and not just once.
Ok, about Christmas calls, either you guys call me or I can call you. Pick a time when you want to talk. Anytime Christmas Eve or Christmas pretty much works. We won't have much to do, besides watch movies, lol. So pick a time and let me know and we'll plan for that. Questions?
J, sounds like you got some sweet parts in the play coming up. You'll have to keep me updated. You need a name for your group? I didn't even know you really had one, but that is way sweet. I bet you guys sound really good. You should record a song or two and send it to me.
S, I heard your play went really well. You are amazing! I can't wait to see a play you're in when I get home. It's probably less than a year now. That's such a weird thought for me. Because I'll probably come home one transfer early to have time with my amazing family and to make it to school in time, that means I have less than a year. It really feels like I just came out here and now I can count down instead of up, lol. Of course I still I have a ton of time and I'm going to keep working hard and keep giving it my all.
I'm pretty excited for this upcoming week. It will be another really fun one. Hopefully, a really productive one, too. Thursday, we're going to go with the BYU girls to visit President Popovici. That will be so much fun, because he is one of the funniest people I've ever met. Friday we're in Chisinau for a zone Christmas party. Saturday, we have a movie night with a bunch of members and investigators. I'm pretty excited for all these activities. It'll be weird after the New Year when things are quiet and normal again. It will take some getting used to, I'm sure.
Well, you guys are the best. I love you a ton! Have a great week! --Elder Ross
P.S. Thanks for the story of Joseph Smith, Mom. I'm trying hard to build my spiritual muscles!
It was really good to get all of your emails this week and to hear from you all. This week has been a slower one but we have worked really hard so I feel good about it. There were definitely a lot of fun times in this week, too! For starters, last P-day we went ATVing! It was so sweet. Radu, one of the other elders' investigators took us to a course in town and it was really good. Like tons of hills, ditches, rocks, tires, etc. Man, after about 10 minutes(it was 30 minutes and only cost about$12) my muscles were getting sore and it was way hard to use my thumb to push the gas. I was definitely sore for like 3 days afterwards and some of the skin on my hand wore off, but it was undoubtedly worth it. Such a blast.
We also had a branch activity on Friday. It was super fun as well. The BYU girls with a couple of the sisters from the branch made sarmale and fruit salad. So we had a big meal, then the BYU girls sang a couple songs along with Nicu. Silent Night and then a way cool sounding Romanian carol. Elder Dabling also sang a song, I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day, or whatever that song is called. Vasile, a member from Constanta here in Iasi for school, sang and played on his guitar. It was just a really chill activity to just listen to music and to talk(Elder Hardman and I sat in the back with the BYU girls. We've kind of been "their" elders. We always translate for them and help them when they want to visit people. I'll say more about that later :) .) Later, President Popovici called out for some American carols so all of us Americans went up there and sang a couple songs. We wish you a merry christmas and rudolph the red nosed reindeer, a couple more maybe, I don't really remember.
Saturday, we had sport for the very last time. Last week was going to be the last time but Diamanta wanted us to do it for one more week. We went and played basketball again. It was sooo much fun! I pretty much tore it up, lol. There weren't a ton of people there. Elder Hardman, Elder Middleton and myself, Danielle, Christina, Laura and Natasha, well, I guess all the BYU girls except for Alie(she's still reconvering from being sick), Aurelia and Ioana. I was on a team with all girls, naturally, and we whooped the other team pretty good, even though they had two guys, both of which play pretty well. Anyway, it was super fun and it just felt so good to play some basketball.
Sunday, was fun. We had some really good speakers yesterday. Elder Hardman spoke first and he did a really good job. Then Nicu spoke on the power and authority of the priesthood, a really good talk. The last scheduled speaker was Alie and she asked me to translate for her. It went pretty well, I thought. I did a lot better than last time. Still made some mistakes, but it happens. Man, I always get super hot when I'm translating. When I sat back down the first thing I did was take off my suit coat. It must be the mental concentration because I seriously thought it was like 100 degrees. It was good, though and I'm glad I got to translate for her. I translated for the girls during Sunday School, too, and then Nicu taught in priesthood. It was a good 3 hour block.
After church, we went with the BYU girls to Sora Genoveva's place. That was a ton of fun, too. She made us an excellent meal and it was just fun to talk with her and the girls. Oh man, at one point she pointed to Laura and told her to come with her. Then she pointed to me and Danielle, but we didn't know which one of us she wanted. So we figured me, because Laura is leaving today(the others leave next week) and so maybe Sora Genoveva wants to give her something and wants me to translate for her. So I walked in the other room and Sora Genoveva was holding up a bunch of tights(still in their packages) and handing some to Laura. She saw me and was like, what are you doing here, this is for girls! It was really funny and all the girls were laughing super hard. I guess she just had some tights she wanted to give them. They tried them on and then wore them home.
Then one of the biggest highlights of the week was last night. We went to the BYU girls' apartment to give them their Christmas presents. Haha, they were such good presents. We got each of them a shirt that says, Look What I Found in Romania, then below it has a picture of my companion and I. Then below that it says, I Love My Romanian Elders. It was a huge hit, they LOVED the shirts. It was super funny, too, to watch their faces as they all unwrapped their shirts and started laughing. It was soo fun. We hung out with them for a little bit(it was at like 8pm, so we didn't have anything else planned) and just chilled and talked. They are all super cool girls. I'm going to miss them when they go. I'm the one elder that was here when they came and I'll be here when they leave. They've all become really good friends and it's cool to me to know that you can find friends. Who would have thought I'd make American friends(mormon nonetheless) in the middle of Romania.
This week, as far as missionary work goes, was interesting. Our zone is on a probe, like we're the test to see if not counting contacts will improve the work. So, my companion and I worked really hard this week. We were in the blocs almost every single day, trying to find new investigators, new people to progress in the gospel. A lot of our investigators now aren't meeting with us and we don't know why. So we've been trying to find new ones. For example, we still haven't met with Alina. She bunged us two more times, the last one because she got grounded for two weeks and so she can't do anything, not even come to church. She can't use her computer either, so I'll get her email for you, Serena, when she is free again. Gianina was unreachable(turned out she had been visiting her grandmother, but came to church yesterday) and Cristi and Nicoleta haven't answered their phone in a long time. Adriana dropped her baptismal date and said she doesn't want to be baptized, she doesn't understand why there has to be a church. If she has faith, then that's enough. I hate that argument. It's so prevalent here in Romania.
We found one new investigator, an older guy who's really friendly. We've given him a Book of Mormon and he wants to come to church(he was out of town yesterday so didn't come), so we'll see what happens. So of all of our whole week and going to the blocs so much, he was the only new investigator we got. At times that was discouraging, but my companion and I talked about it and we know that worked hard. We're glad that we didn't count contacts, even though we would have had a ton. I don't want that false sense of achievement. But I'm comforted by the fact that I know I worked hard and God knows I worked hard. That's all that matters.
Those are good questions, Dad. I'm not exactly sure what youth do here. To be sure, there are way more activities and youth do a lot more in America. A lot of people play soccer, but for the most part people just hang out with their friends, and if they play sports, then it's with their friends, not an organization or league. That's probably a big reason why so many youth smoke and start really young, too. I've seen 10 year olds smoking, and not just once.
Ok, about Christmas calls, either you guys call me or I can call you. Pick a time when you want to talk. Anytime Christmas Eve or Christmas pretty much works. We won't have much to do, besides watch movies, lol. So pick a time and let me know and we'll plan for that. Questions?
J, sounds like you got some sweet parts in the play coming up. You'll have to keep me updated. You need a name for your group? I didn't even know you really had one, but that is way sweet. I bet you guys sound really good. You should record a song or two and send it to me.
S, I heard your play went really well. You are amazing! I can't wait to see a play you're in when I get home. It's probably less than a year now. That's such a weird thought for me. Because I'll probably come home one transfer early to have time with my amazing family and to make it to school in time, that means I have less than a year. It really feels like I just came out here and now I can count down instead of up, lol. Of course I still I have a ton of time and I'm going to keep working hard and keep giving it my all.
I'm pretty excited for this upcoming week. It will be another really fun one. Hopefully, a really productive one, too. Thursday, we're going to go with the BYU girls to visit President Popovici. That will be so much fun, because he is one of the funniest people I've ever met. Friday we're in Chisinau for a zone Christmas party. Saturday, we have a movie night with a bunch of members and investigators. I'm pretty excited for all these activities. It'll be weird after the New Year when things are quiet and normal again. It will take some getting used to, I'm sure.
Well, you guys are the best. I love you a ton! Have a great week! --Elder Ross
P.S. Thanks for the story of Joseph Smith, Mom. I'm trying hard to build my spiritual muscles!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Hey All!
You were right, Dad, it was definitely a different week than the one before. But it was still good in lots of ways. Hard in lots of ways, too. For some reason it was really draining on me. I don't know if I burnt out a little for a couple days or what, but I felt really...wearied. Hopefully, I explain that better as I talk about my week.
The first part of the week was pretty solid. We had a good p-day. We went to Moldova Mall with the other elders and played some pool. I have definitely lost my skills, lol, because I was pretty good at college and it definitely didn't show last p day. It was way fun, though and I won about half the time. We had a super solid lesson with Adriana on Tuesday. We talked a lot about baptism and how she is ready for it. She agreed to pray and think about being baptized on the 16th of December. It was a really intense lesson and I really felt the Spirit guiding me and my companion as we taught her. It was incredible. We had another lesson with her Friday and she said that she didn't feel she was ready. She told us how she had said her prayers and she had kind of made up her mind before asking God. So we talked about that and different experiences she has had with the Spirit(she has a lot, she is really sensitive to it) and a lot about faith. Elder Kapishca taught us a really cool faith cycle that really helps me and members and investigators(everyone!) to put faith in action. So we used that with her and she really understood how she can get an answer and know what God wants her to do. It was an awesome lesson.
Then Thursday, I had definitely one of the most spiritual lessons(of course the ones with Adriana really were, too) in my mission with Gianina. We talked about the Plan of Salvation, really focusing on the need for a Savior, discussing the fall of Adam and Eve specifically. Then we talked a lot about faith, using the same faith cycle that I've used like 5 or 6 times now. Then the highlight of it all. She said, "I believe in Jesus Christ." Like, I was way shocked at first. Then I wanted to know how, or in what way and she said that she believes that He lived and that He can save us. She has worked with sisters for months and I know she's had something like 10 lessons on the Atonement and then to finally have her understand faith and how it's not a knowledge and we have to make the first step and then to hear her say those words. It was awesome. That lesson was pretty long and really spiritual, so when we ended, I felt pretty drained, like once the lesson and the Spirit ended, I was like left without energy. Like I think that is part of the feeling I've felt this week. I have been putting everything into all of our lessons and I have to train my body, I guess, or maybe just get myself used to that feeling. Like, conditioning myself. Then hopefully I can be somewhat like Nephi and have some unwearyingness. That's my goal, lol. It will take lots of work, but this week has been really rewarding in that way. I've put more in spiritually than i ever have before.
That is part of why this week was so hard as well. We worked so hard trying to find new investigators and trying to help the ones we already have and not a single one was at church yesterday. That's the first time that has happened since Elder Hardman and I have been together. Then we weren't able to get a hold of Alina or Gianina at all yesterday or today. So, S, I didn't get her email address. I'm sorry, but we didn't have a lesson with her since last week. Hopefully, this week.
We had ZL/DL on Wednesday. We didn't have assignments so I didn't have to do a presentation. We talked a lot about things that were discussed at zone conference and how we can use those to better the work we do. There were a lot of great things and I really liked how we talked about mission traditions and burning them. For example, contacting. More specifically, counting contacts. It's become a huge placebo for success. An elder can work really hard and get 300 contacts in a week, but it didn't accomplish anything at all if he didn't get a new investigator. The focus is all about baptisms, and beyond that, the temple. That's all that matters. If we work for that, the rest of the numbers will fall in place. District meeting was kind of on the same thing. We went over zone conference and how we can apply those things. I applied the experience that Elder Hardman and I had in the blocs the day before. We only had about an hour, but we went in with the attitude that contacts don't matter at all. What's important is finding quality people to join God's Church. We had only 6 contacts, but 4 of those were lessons. I don't get that many lessons(at least not in the past) in three hours of bloc-knocking. Our attitude changed everything and we really had fun and learned a lot about all of those people. It was a really good experience. It made it a lot harder, though, because the last three nights in the blocs we haven't had a lot of success. We're still trying to find people and give it our all. Because we're putting more out there on the line, it makes harder, too, when things don't work out. But I guess that is the role of a missionary.
No, I don't get to watch the Christmas Devotional. I'm sure it will be way good, though. You'll have to tell me the highlights. Tell those that sent the emails about my blog that it is very appreciated. For sure, I will pass what Sister H said on to Alina. I think it could be a big help. About a wish list. I don't have a clue. I loved the jerky you guys sent. More of that is always appreciated. Other than, music, like Disney, etc. Ok, I really gotta bounce. Have a great day everyone. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
P.S. i didn't forget and I told my companion when it was your birthday, J. Happy Birthday!!! Big 18, adult on the loose! Hope you had a good one!! Love you, man.
You were right, Dad, it was definitely a different week than the one before. But it was still good in lots of ways. Hard in lots of ways, too. For some reason it was really draining on me. I don't know if I burnt out a little for a couple days or what, but I felt really...wearied. Hopefully, I explain that better as I talk about my week.
The first part of the week was pretty solid. We had a good p-day. We went to Moldova Mall with the other elders and played some pool. I have definitely lost my skills, lol, because I was pretty good at college and it definitely didn't show last p day. It was way fun, though and I won about half the time. We had a super solid lesson with Adriana on Tuesday. We talked a lot about baptism and how she is ready for it. She agreed to pray and think about being baptized on the 16th of December. It was a really intense lesson and I really felt the Spirit guiding me and my companion as we taught her. It was incredible. We had another lesson with her Friday and she said that she didn't feel she was ready. She told us how she had said her prayers and she had kind of made up her mind before asking God. So we talked about that and different experiences she has had with the Spirit(she has a lot, she is really sensitive to it) and a lot about faith. Elder Kapishca taught us a really cool faith cycle that really helps me and members and investigators(everyone!) to put faith in action. So we used that with her and she really understood how she can get an answer and know what God wants her to do. It was an awesome lesson.
Then Thursday, I had definitely one of the most spiritual lessons(of course the ones with Adriana really were, too) in my mission with Gianina. We talked about the Plan of Salvation, really focusing on the need for a Savior, discussing the fall of Adam and Eve specifically. Then we talked a lot about faith, using the same faith cycle that I've used like 5 or 6 times now. Then the highlight of it all. She said, "I believe in Jesus Christ." Like, I was way shocked at first. Then I wanted to know how, or in what way and she said that she believes that He lived and that He can save us. She has worked with sisters for months and I know she's had something like 10 lessons on the Atonement and then to finally have her understand faith and how it's not a knowledge and we have to make the first step and then to hear her say those words. It was awesome. That lesson was pretty long and really spiritual, so when we ended, I felt pretty drained, like once the lesson and the Spirit ended, I was like left without energy. Like I think that is part of the feeling I've felt this week. I have been putting everything into all of our lessons and I have to train my body, I guess, or maybe just get myself used to that feeling. Like, conditioning myself. Then hopefully I can be somewhat like Nephi and have some unwearyingness. That's my goal, lol. It will take lots of work, but this week has been really rewarding in that way. I've put more in spiritually than i ever have before.
That is part of why this week was so hard as well. We worked so hard trying to find new investigators and trying to help the ones we already have and not a single one was at church yesterday. That's the first time that has happened since Elder Hardman and I have been together. Then we weren't able to get a hold of Alina or Gianina at all yesterday or today. So, S, I didn't get her email address. I'm sorry, but we didn't have a lesson with her since last week. Hopefully, this week.
We had ZL/DL on Wednesday. We didn't have assignments so I didn't have to do a presentation. We talked a lot about things that were discussed at zone conference and how we can use those to better the work we do. There were a lot of great things and I really liked how we talked about mission traditions and burning them. For example, contacting. More specifically, counting contacts. It's become a huge placebo for success. An elder can work really hard and get 300 contacts in a week, but it didn't accomplish anything at all if he didn't get a new investigator. The focus is all about baptisms, and beyond that, the temple. That's all that matters. If we work for that, the rest of the numbers will fall in place. District meeting was kind of on the same thing. We went over zone conference and how we can apply those things. I applied the experience that Elder Hardman and I had in the blocs the day before. We only had about an hour, but we went in with the attitude that contacts don't matter at all. What's important is finding quality people to join God's Church. We had only 6 contacts, but 4 of those were lessons. I don't get that many lessons(at least not in the past) in three hours of bloc-knocking. Our attitude changed everything and we really had fun and learned a lot about all of those people. It was a really good experience. It made it a lot harder, though, because the last three nights in the blocs we haven't had a lot of success. We're still trying to find people and give it our all. Because we're putting more out there on the line, it makes harder, too, when things don't work out. But I guess that is the role of a missionary.
No, I don't get to watch the Christmas Devotional. I'm sure it will be way good, though. You'll have to tell me the highlights. Tell those that sent the emails about my blog that it is very appreciated. For sure, I will pass what Sister H said on to Alina. I think it could be a big help. About a wish list. I don't have a clue. I loved the jerky you guys sent. More of that is always appreciated. Other than, music, like Disney, etc. Ok, I really gotta bounce. Have a great day everyone. I love you all!
--Elder Ross
P.S. i didn't forget and I told my companion when it was your birthday, J. Happy Birthday!!! Big 18, adult on the loose! Hope you had a good one!! Love you, man.
Monday, November 26, 2007
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.
This week was a really fun one! Like super fun! Not as much of the missionary work, but it was a blast and we definitely worked hard when we could. I'm probably just go through the week chronogically, because that's the way I could explain everything the best and not forget anything.
Last Monday was a pretty normal pday, though we had some cooking to do for Tuesday. We had a couple really good lessons before Family Home Evening. One with Diamanta, which is always good and then a bomb lesson with Adriana. It was so good! We talked a lot about baptism. She bore her testimony on church, reading, everything. I think she was a little surprised with how bold we were, so she doesn't have an actual date yet, but she is definitely ready and will have one in our next lesson. I'm way, way excited for that.
Tuesday was awesome! We started the day off with a lesson with Nicu. He is a stud and is doing really well. Then we went home, finished getting the food ready then headed over to the Wrights, where we had an incredible Thanksgiving dinner! We made some food, so did the other elders, so did the BYU girls, so did the Wrights. It was a feast! My companion made rolls that turned out well and I made a really huge and tasty apple pie. I'm really happy with how it turned out. It was a big hit. There was also turkey and stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, yams, seriously like 5 pies or something. My favorites were the stuffing, Danielle's walnut pie and of course my apple pie. Man, we were there for over 2 hours, then we had to go to english. It was kind of hard to teach, we were so stuffed, lol, but it was good. We taught them food words and about thanksgiving and how we'd eaten so much. Basically made them really jealous and hungry.
Wednesday was a normal day of missionary work. Nothing out of the ordinary there. We left that night for Bucharest where we rolled in at about 6 in the morning. We went to the office elders' place and showered. Then I dropped my companion off at the office to get his visa and went with Elders Wilson, Stinson(from my MTC group) and Campbell(Stinson's boy) to Elder Stroud's place so they could shower. After that we wandered around Buch forever. We had absolutely nothing to do. We thought the visas would be done by noon, but complications kept happenning and it kept getting pushed back. We went to a mall on one side of buch then traveled to one on the other side then went and saw casa poporului, the huge, huge building that Ciaucescu built. Finally, we just sat on a bench and dozed for a while, lol. Finally, we went to the chapel at Mihai Bravu. One of the zone conferences was that day and they had finished already so half the mission was there. It was super good to see so many friends and talk to them. That was awesome. They finished with the visas at like 5. After we'd chilled at Mihai Bravu for a while talking to people, we went to Ruby Tuesday's. I got some cheese sticks and a bacon cheeseburger. It was a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving :).
That night, Elder Hardman and I stayed with Elder Bringhurst. Elder Ribgy was also there(both of them are from my MTC group) and so was Elder Grant, he was in Timisoara with me if you remember. It was a fun night, but there were a total of 8 of us there and I had the floor. And the weirdest part is that of the 8 of us, me and the two from my MTC group were the oldest. We're getting up there in the mission.
Friday was zone conference. It was seriously amazing. Elder Kapishka(don't know how that is spelled), a 70 from Germany, spoke to us. I couldn't really explain through an email the stuff we learned or how much I learned, but I really loved how he focused on people and totally bashed focusing on numbers. Of course we still have numbers but he talked a lot about they become false accomplishments, how a missionary will work super hard and get 300 contacts in a week but he did absolutely nothing to bring someone to the waters of baptism and that is a fake victory. It was sweet. That night there was an activity at Mihai Bravu. We stayed for it because our train didn't leave until after 11. It was good. Elder Bringhurst talked about the history of Thanksgiving and then we made hand turkeys and wrote what we're thankful for. It was a really simple activity and not very many members came unfortuneately but it was good to hear someone from my MTC district speaking in Romanian. We've come a long way.
Saturday we got back into Iasi. It's always nice to be back in my city after being away in Buch. Of course it was my birthday as well. No one remembered for a while, though, not even my companion, lol. In my English class, Diamanta came and she remembered and told me happy birthday and gave me a tie. That was really awesome of her. She really is a great friend. My companion wasn't there when she gave it to me, so he still didn't realize. Really, I'm not saying because he's a bad guy. We had a lot of busy days with little sleep and they blended. I just think it's pretty funny he didn't remember at all. Btw, I got your two packages and one from Grandma J. They were all great to get. Thank you a ton! You guys are wonderful. So then we had sport. Some of the BYU girls were there, but none of them remembered, lol. Then we went to the vila to get our suits and change, and all of the BYU girls were there doing cleaning. Danielle, she wasn't at sport, remembered and told me happy birthday and it was really funny because that's when everyone else realized it was my birthday, including my companion. I ended up having to translate a long time for Elder Wright so after that we just went home, because we needed to have planning meeting. A couple people called me that night to wish me happy birthday, too. It was a good birthday, nothing too exciting but that's ok. Yesterday was good, too. We had some lessons that didn't go how we wanted, but it was alright. And that brings me to today, sitting at internet. Well, I am running late at internet. I need to go now. Sorry I didn't write more. Next week hopefully.
I love you all. You're the best! Have a good one.
--Elder Ross
p.s. you're brilliant S. Alina speaks english really well. I'll get her email. Remind me to give it to you next week.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Good Day!
Good Day Everyone!
Ok, no one says that in English, "good day", but everyone sure says it over here. It was great to get a lot of emails this week. I definitely have a huge base of support from you guys and it always keeps me up. It's not to be to be when I have such an amazing family, and also great friends.
My week was pretty good. We didn't have great numbers but we met with a lot of our investigators and also lots of members. Unfortunately, we weren't able to meet with Adriana throughout the whole week. That was really a bummer because she is the closest one to baptism and we are super close to challenging her. Like probably the next lesson. Of course we will listen to the Spirit, otherwise I would say, for sure we are challenging her. But we are meeting with her tonight so I'm pretty excited. We had a great lesson with Alina this week. We took Tanta, a member from Galati, with us and she was awesome. She clicked with Alina right away and they were calling each other friends after like 5 minutes. She is really close to baptism, too, I think. She loves the Book of Mormon and feels the Spirit when she reads it. She thinks it a sin to change religions and she doesn't like going to church, because she thinks it is boring. Beyond those two things, she is ready. She is praying about baptism a lot now and we talk about it everytime. We've become pretty good friends with her, too. She came to church this Sunday! She came because I was speaking and she wanted to support me. It was awesome to see her there. It's the first time for as long as I've been here that she's come.
Man, we also met with Gianina for the first time. It was pretty awesome, actually. She asked what she has to do to be baptized. I told she needs a testimony of Jesus Christ and a testimony of the Book of Mormon and then she can be baptized. We talked a lot about prayer and getting an answer so she's been working on that. We're definitely praying hard for her. We're meeting with her again on Wednesday and I think we'll do a lesson on the plan of salvation, focusing on the role of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm really excited, she's an awesome lady. We also met with Cristi and his wife, Nicoleta, this last week. Their problem has been the Word of Wisdom, but he told us on Wednesday that he's had it with smoking and that he is quitting for sure. They are a really solid couple and we are praying a lot for them, too. I guess we pray pretty hard for all of our investigators. They're all at different points with very different obstacles, but many of them are close. We have a transfer goal to have 2 baptisms and 5 baptismal dates. Those 5 being Adriana, Alina, Gianina, Cristi and Nicoleta. For the baptisms, Adriana and one other. We haven't decided yet. We're focusing hard on all 5, so we'll see. It's a super awesome outlook we have going on and miracles are going to happen, because this transfer goes right up to Christmas. It ends on the 26th, I think, so we are focusing on giving the Savior a gift. Man, I'm excited!
We have a pretty sweet week coming up. Well, today is P-day, so that's nice. A lot of it will be spent making some food for tomorrow, because that is when we are having Thanksgiving dinner. Our assignment is apple pie, rolls(i definitely can't make them like you, Mom!), and vegetables still to be decided. It will be with us, the other elders, the Wrights, the 5 BYU girls, and their professor and her son. So 13 total, a pretty good crowd. It will be great.
Wednesday night, my companion and I go down to Buch and Thursday morning he finally gets his visa. Then we'll meet up with the other elders(they're there because of mission council) and do exchanges there in Buch visiting all the members they know, because I've never served there and otherwise would have nothing to do. So Thanksiving day will be pretty good. I think we're going to go have dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. Friday we have zone conference. It will be half of the mission that day and the other half will have had it Thursday. Sometime in these two days I get a cell phone, too. Woo-hoo! Saturday morning(my birthday!) we get back, have english classes like normal and sport, have some lessons, do the missionary thing. I don't really know if my birthday will be anything special at all. Probably not, but that's ok. It's on a saturday, that's a fun day. I'll probably get packages from you guys when I'm in Buch, so that will be really good. That will make for a great birthday and just knowing you guys are thinking of me. So that's my week coming up.
Oh, yeah, so I spoke in church yesterday. I talked how we are converted by feeling the Spirit and these things usually come through prayer, reading the scriptures and coming to church. I thought it went really well and I spoke freely, without having everything written out. Definitely a lot better than the last time, which was back in my 3rd transfer, and now I'm in my 7th. Right after me, Danielle spoke and I translated for her. Her talk was absolutely amazing and I really liked it. The problem was that it was too good, she speaks very ...elegantly, I guess is the word. Translating was ridiculously hard and I didn't do very well. At least she was very appreciative of it, even I didn't do too hot. It was my first time translating for a speaker in sacrament and it was a hard one to start with, lol. But really her talk was awesome. I asked her if I could have it, so I'm going take some time and translate it and I will learn a lot by doing that and hopefully next time I translate a lot better. It was a good experience. I translated for her in Relief Society as well. That went better. Hard topic, kind of, all about delegating, but it went well and it's always pretty funny to be in Relief Society as the only guy. Lol, they are absolutely horrible singers. It's funny because they are way off and I'm like holding it together sometimes and I'm the only guy with all those women. I'm definitely not a great singer, though. I've lost a lot on my mission, I think, probably because the standard, the norm has dropped so much.
Yeah, it's getting pretty cold here in Iasi, but I'm handling it pretty well. I got a sweet coat with a furry hood. It's pretty hardcore. I'll probably need to send you a picture of it sometime. Yeah, I could use gloves and something for my ears, too. Not earmuffs, though, I don't like how they sit in my hair and mess it up, lol. P offered to send me these things and I said yeah, but I don't know if that ever happened. Check with him.
The last couple weeks we've played soccer for sport and it is super fun. This last week we had so many people that we had to make three teams and have one sit out while the other two played. It's really to nice to be able to do that and get some physical exercise. I definitely miss working out and being able to stay in shape. Like, I'm still in decent shape, but it's not the same and I've definitely lost muscle. It's impossible to keep it up as a missionary. Hopefully, we can keep doing sport for a while, but as it gets colder we probably will have to cancel it.
Yeah, I have a lot of fun cooking, but it really is so much more fun to make desserts than anything else. We use American cups and teaspoons, etc. We get a cookbook from the mission when we come into the country and it has a lot of good recipes. Most of what I make is just from that. Maybe I'll stretch myself oneday and actually make something besides dessert.
I haven't forgotten W needs a thumbs up picture. Hmm, I'm not exactly sure all what goes on here around Christmas. I know that it is three days long, the 25th to the 27th, and we got to watch lots of movies between Christmas and New Year's. It will be a really fun time, I'm sure and I can't wait. I'm sure it will be here before I know it, though.
Well, I should bounce. You guys are great and as J says, keep dominating life. Have an amazing week and I'll make sure mine is as well. I love you!
--Elder Ross
Ok, no one says that in English, "good day", but everyone sure says it over here. It was great to get a lot of emails this week. I definitely have a huge base of support from you guys and it always keeps me up. It's not to be to be when I have such an amazing family, and also great friends.
My week was pretty good. We didn't have great numbers but we met with a lot of our investigators and also lots of members. Unfortunately, we weren't able to meet with Adriana throughout the whole week. That was really a bummer because she is the closest one to baptism and we are super close to challenging her. Like probably the next lesson. Of course we will listen to the Spirit, otherwise I would say, for sure we are challenging her. But we are meeting with her tonight so I'm pretty excited. We had a great lesson with Alina this week. We took Tanta, a member from Galati, with us and she was awesome. She clicked with Alina right away and they were calling each other friends after like 5 minutes. She is really close to baptism, too, I think. She loves the Book of Mormon and feels the Spirit when she reads it. She thinks it a sin to change religions and she doesn't like going to church, because she thinks it is boring. Beyond those two things, she is ready. She is praying about baptism a lot now and we talk about it everytime. We've become pretty good friends with her, too. She came to church this Sunday! She came because I was speaking and she wanted to support me. It was awesome to see her there. It's the first time for as long as I've been here that she's come.
Man, we also met with Gianina for the first time. It was pretty awesome, actually. She asked what she has to do to be baptized. I told she needs a testimony of Jesus Christ and a testimony of the Book of Mormon and then she can be baptized. We talked a lot about prayer and getting an answer so she's been working on that. We're definitely praying hard for her. We're meeting with her again on Wednesday and I think we'll do a lesson on the plan of salvation, focusing on the role of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm really excited, she's an awesome lady. We also met with Cristi and his wife, Nicoleta, this last week. Their problem has been the Word of Wisdom, but he told us on Wednesday that he's had it with smoking and that he is quitting for sure. They are a really solid couple and we are praying a lot for them, too. I guess we pray pretty hard for all of our investigators. They're all at different points with very different obstacles, but many of them are close. We have a transfer goal to have 2 baptisms and 5 baptismal dates. Those 5 being Adriana, Alina, Gianina, Cristi and Nicoleta. For the baptisms, Adriana and one other. We haven't decided yet. We're focusing hard on all 5, so we'll see. It's a super awesome outlook we have going on and miracles are going to happen, because this transfer goes right up to Christmas. It ends on the 26th, I think, so we are focusing on giving the Savior a gift. Man, I'm excited!
We have a pretty sweet week coming up. Well, today is P-day, so that's nice. A lot of it will be spent making some food for tomorrow, because that is when we are having Thanksgiving dinner. Our assignment is apple pie, rolls(i definitely can't make them like you, Mom!), and vegetables still to be decided. It will be with us, the other elders, the Wrights, the 5 BYU girls, and their professor and her son. So 13 total, a pretty good crowd. It will be great.
Wednesday night, my companion and I go down to Buch and Thursday morning he finally gets his visa. Then we'll meet up with the other elders(they're there because of mission council) and do exchanges there in Buch visiting all the members they know, because I've never served there and otherwise would have nothing to do. So Thanksiving day will be pretty good. I think we're going to go have dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. Friday we have zone conference. It will be half of the mission that day and the other half will have had it Thursday. Sometime in these two days I get a cell phone, too. Woo-hoo! Saturday morning(my birthday!) we get back, have english classes like normal and sport, have some lessons, do the missionary thing. I don't really know if my birthday will be anything special at all. Probably not, but that's ok. It's on a saturday, that's a fun day. I'll probably get packages from you guys when I'm in Buch, so that will be really good. That will make for a great birthday and just knowing you guys are thinking of me. So that's my week coming up.
Oh, yeah, so I spoke in church yesterday. I talked how we are converted by feeling the Spirit and these things usually come through prayer, reading the scriptures and coming to church. I thought it went really well and I spoke freely, without having everything written out. Definitely a lot better than the last time, which was back in my 3rd transfer, and now I'm in my 7th. Right after me, Danielle spoke and I translated for her. Her talk was absolutely amazing and I really liked it. The problem was that it was too good, she speaks very ...elegantly, I guess is the word. Translating was ridiculously hard and I didn't do very well. At least she was very appreciative of it, even I didn't do too hot. It was my first time translating for a speaker in sacrament and it was a hard one to start with, lol. But really her talk was awesome. I asked her if I could have it, so I'm going take some time and translate it and I will learn a lot by doing that and hopefully next time I translate a lot better. It was a good experience. I translated for her in Relief Society as well. That went better. Hard topic, kind of, all about delegating, but it went well and it's always pretty funny to be in Relief Society as the only guy. Lol, they are absolutely horrible singers. It's funny because they are way off and I'm like holding it together sometimes and I'm the only guy with all those women. I'm definitely not a great singer, though. I've lost a lot on my mission, I think, probably because the standard, the norm has dropped so much.
Yeah, it's getting pretty cold here in Iasi, but I'm handling it pretty well. I got a sweet coat with a furry hood. It's pretty hardcore. I'll probably need to send you a picture of it sometime. Yeah, I could use gloves and something for my ears, too. Not earmuffs, though, I don't like how they sit in my hair and mess it up, lol. P offered to send me these things and I said yeah, but I don't know if that ever happened. Check with him.
The last couple weeks we've played soccer for sport and it is super fun. This last week we had so many people that we had to make three teams and have one sit out while the other two played. It's really to nice to be able to do that and get some physical exercise. I definitely miss working out and being able to stay in shape. Like, I'm still in decent shape, but it's not the same and I've definitely lost muscle. It's impossible to keep it up as a missionary. Hopefully, we can keep doing sport for a while, but as it gets colder we probably will have to cancel it.
Yeah, I have a lot of fun cooking, but it really is so much more fun to make desserts than anything else. We use American cups and teaspoons, etc. We get a cookbook from the mission when we come into the country and it has a lot of good recipes. Most of what I make is just from that. Maybe I'll stretch myself oneday and actually make something besides dessert.
I haven't forgotten W needs a thumbs up picture. Hmm, I'm not exactly sure all what goes on here around Christmas. I know that it is three days long, the 25th to the 27th, and we got to watch lots of movies between Christmas and New Year's. It will be a really fun time, I'm sure and I can't wait. I'm sure it will be here before I know it, though.
Well, I should bounce. You guys are great and as J says, keep dominating life. Have an amazing week and I'll make sure mine is as well. I love you!
--Elder Ross
Monday, November 12, 2007
I Know . . . How to Bring Joy to Christ
[Every so often, in my letters to Ross, I include a section called "I Know. . . " It gives me an opportunity to share my testimony about various aspect of the gospel. Here is the one he just referred to.]
I know . . . How to Bring Joy to Christ
You mentioned Christmas will be difficult for you being away from family. That is understandable, and normal. You have demonstrated the remedy for this many, many times on your mission – hard work and service. Just remember homesickness comes and goes. You will feel sadness at various times during this season; just know it eases, especially as you find creative ways to serve others.
There are times when I miss having you around, but I count my blessings that you are exactly where you should be; then I count the many wonderful blessings you are receiving and the family is receiving for your service.
Those first seven years in Oregon included some of the hardest trials in my life. There was a few times where I felt at the "gates of hell." But Dad and I kept putting one foot in front of the other with faith (sometimes very strained), hoping that the promised blessings would come. In the midst of this, about five years ago, during the week before Christmas, I was in the temple waiting for the next session. I picked up the scriptures and read. During the Christmas season, I often try to read about the Savior's visit in 3 rd Nephi so I resumed reading there. As I read one scripture, it pierced my heart with its truthfulness.
It is found in 3 Nephi 17 when Jesus prays for the people. After he arises, the joy of the people was so great they couldn't stand until after Christ bade them. Then, in verse 21, Christ said, "Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full."
Finances were among the fiercest challenges at the time. We were trying our hardest to follow promptings but there seemed to be no solutions at that time. Satan was working overtime to inhibit the growth of our eternal family. Reading that scripture, I realized that all Christ asked of me, of all of us, was faith. And if we give that to him, His joy is full.
It's simple. It's beautiful.
My heart was full that day knowing that my efforts were bringing great joy to my Savior. At the Christmas season, celebrating His birth, I knew I was giving Jesus the gift of joy.
As I have watched my children grow, I recognize that feeling. Knowing you are striving forward with faithfulness, I feel great joy. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truthfulness." (3 John1:4.)
During the next two months, know that what you are doing is bringing Christ great joy.
I know . . . How to Bring Joy to Christ
You mentioned Christmas will be difficult for you being away from family. That is understandable, and normal. You have demonstrated the remedy for this many, many times on your mission – hard work and service. Just remember homesickness comes and goes. You will feel sadness at various times during this season; just know it eases, especially as you find creative ways to serve others.
There are times when I miss having you around, but I count my blessings that you are exactly where you should be; then I count the many wonderful blessings you are receiving and the family is receiving for your service.
Those first seven years in Oregon included some of the hardest trials in my life. There was a few times where I felt at the "gates of hell." But Dad and I kept putting one foot in front of the other with faith (sometimes very strained), hoping that the promised blessings would come. In the midst of this, about five years ago, during the week before Christmas, I was in the temple waiting for the next session. I picked up the scriptures and read. During the Christmas season, I often try to read about the Savior's visit in 3 rd Nephi so I resumed reading there. As I read one scripture, it pierced my heart with its truthfulness.
It is found in 3 Nephi 17 when Jesus prays for the people. After he arises, the joy of the people was so great they couldn't stand until after Christ bade them. Then, in verse 21, Christ said, "Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full."
Finances were among the fiercest challenges at the time. We were trying our hardest to follow promptings but there seemed to be no solutions at that time. Satan was working overtime to inhibit the growth of our eternal family. Reading that scripture, I realized that all Christ asked of me, of all of us, was faith. And if we give that to him, His joy is full.
It's simple. It's beautiful.
My heart was full that day knowing that my efforts were bringing great joy to my Savior. At the Christmas season, celebrating His birth, I knew I was giving Jesus the gift of joy.
As I have watched my children grow, I recognize that feeling. Knowing you are striving forward with faithfulness, I feel great joy. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truthfulness." (3 John1:4.)
During the next two months, know that what you are doing is bringing Christ great joy.
Best Week of the Transfer
Hey Everyone!
You guys are great! All of your emails were great and I especially appreciated the title of your email, "Your Mom loves you TONS!" Oh, Happy Birthday, Mom!! I think according to the calendar you gave me, you just turned 29! Mom, you are amazing and I love you a lot! Thanks for raising me right and always being there. I've definitely learned that you are a very inspired woman, especially when it comes to your children. There have been numberless times when your emails have been exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you, Mom, for you countless sacrifices and your many, many prayers. I love you!
My week went really well this week. We had probably our best week of the transfer and we definitely worked the hardest. Not a lot of our investigators could meet, so we had tons of contacting time and we just dug down and worked really hard at that. We had almost 200 contacts, but unfortuneatly, no new investigators. But I have no doubt the Lord saw our work and will bless us and the people here in one way or another. Adriana is doing really well. We have a goal to give her a baptismal date this week. She understands and accepts everything we teach her, so this is the next step. I'm really excited.
Oh, I almost forgot, lol. Transfers! I forgot, because they were really anticlimactic and no one in this city is transferred. No sisters are coming in, either, so absolutely nothing has changed. Throughout the whole mission, not a lot has changed. Elder Woodhouse is now a zone leader and all the elders from my MTC group are now senior. Another one, Elder Kirk, is a district leader. Oh, and Elder Stinson is training.
Yeah, the BYU girls are back now. It's really good to have them back. They do a lot for the branch. They stay here until the December 17th. I'll be the elder that saw them come in and stayed their whole time until they leave. They are awesome and I'm glad that i've been able to get to know them. We're all pretty tight. Christina is pretty sick right now and Elder Hardman and I were able to go over there and give her a blessing. He gave the blessing and it was a really good experience. I love giving blessings and having the Spirit work through me...it's amazing! I actually got to be a part of three blessings yesterday. Christina, Diamanta(for a huge test she has today) and Laura(for the last month out here. She's been here since Katie Price came out here). It was great to serve them in that way.
You are right, we have been challenged to each have a baptism by Christmas, as a gift to the Savior. Alina is doing really well, too. She has problems making sacrifices and changing, but she is a 15-year old. And a very spunky one at that. She is great, though, and hopefully will start coming to church. She is addicted to coffee(at 15!) and doesn't think she can quit that. I'll keep you updated. No, Gianina has no relation to Nicu. Nicu's wife is in Italy, but I think she is coming home soon and then she will be willing to take the discussions. That's at least what he told us. That would be incredible to see him be able to baptize her. Gianina is a former Muslim that does everything she's ever been taught. She even pays tithing(though it's under donations or something because she isn't a member). She would be baptized, probably, if we asked her, but she doesn't really believe in Jesus Christ or understand his role as our Savior. I've never had a lesson with her, though. I think she was waiting for sisters to come back, but they didn't so that's kind of a bummer. We'll try again to meet with her. Maybe have a member, a sister from the branch, set it up.
I don't get fed by members very often here. Timisoara was where I could be fed 5 out of the 7 days of the week. Here, Sora Genoveva feeds us every week(it's really good) and President Popovici feeds us when we go over. That is it, though. But I've been learning to cook a little. Well, lol, not really. I've learned how to make lots of desserts, but that's about it. Snickerdoodles, no-bakes, carrot cake, yellow cake, lemon bars, etc. I'm really enjoying that, actually. I should probably learn to cook a meal, but hey, I still have over a year.
Woo-hoo! That is super sick that about the football game!! That must have been a super fun game to watch. The football team just needs to go all the way now. I'm sure J dominated. Keep me updated!
Well, you guys are the best. I should go now. I love you all! Happy birthday again, Mom. Thanks for the "I know". I love those. Have a great week, everyone. There's no transfer meeting this week, but next week, during Thanksgiving, we'll(the whole mission) be in Buch, because a general authority is coming. Have a good one.
Love, Elder Ross
You guys are great! All of your emails were great and I especially appreciated the title of your email, "Your Mom loves you TONS!" Oh, Happy Birthday, Mom!! I think according to the calendar you gave me, you just turned 29! Mom, you are amazing and I love you a lot! Thanks for raising me right and always being there. I've definitely learned that you are a very inspired woman, especially when it comes to your children. There have been numberless times when your emails have been exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you, Mom, for you countless sacrifices and your many, many prayers. I love you!
My week went really well this week. We had probably our best week of the transfer and we definitely worked the hardest. Not a lot of our investigators could meet, so we had tons of contacting time and we just dug down and worked really hard at that. We had almost 200 contacts, but unfortuneatly, no new investigators. But I have no doubt the Lord saw our work and will bless us and the people here in one way or another. Adriana is doing really well. We have a goal to give her a baptismal date this week. She understands and accepts everything we teach her, so this is the next step. I'm really excited.
Oh, I almost forgot, lol. Transfers! I forgot, because they were really anticlimactic and no one in this city is transferred. No sisters are coming in, either, so absolutely nothing has changed. Throughout the whole mission, not a lot has changed. Elder Woodhouse is now a zone leader and all the elders from my MTC group are now senior. Another one, Elder Kirk, is a district leader. Oh, and Elder Stinson is training.
Yeah, the BYU girls are back now. It's really good to have them back. They do a lot for the branch. They stay here until the December 17th. I'll be the elder that saw them come in and stayed their whole time until they leave. They are awesome and I'm glad that i've been able to get to know them. We're all pretty tight. Christina is pretty sick right now and Elder Hardman and I were able to go over there and give her a blessing. He gave the blessing and it was a really good experience. I love giving blessings and having the Spirit work through me...it's amazing! I actually got to be a part of three blessings yesterday. Christina, Diamanta(for a huge test she has today) and Laura(for the last month out here. She's been here since Katie Price came out here). It was great to serve them in that way.
You are right, we have been challenged to each have a baptism by Christmas, as a gift to the Savior. Alina is doing really well, too. She has problems making sacrifices and changing, but she is a 15-year old. And a very spunky one at that. She is great, though, and hopefully will start coming to church. She is addicted to coffee(at 15!) and doesn't think she can quit that. I'll keep you updated. No, Gianina has no relation to Nicu. Nicu's wife is in Italy, but I think she is coming home soon and then she will be willing to take the discussions. That's at least what he told us. That would be incredible to see him be able to baptize her. Gianina is a former Muslim that does everything she's ever been taught. She even pays tithing(though it's under donations or something because she isn't a member). She would be baptized, probably, if we asked her, but she doesn't really believe in Jesus Christ or understand his role as our Savior. I've never had a lesson with her, though. I think she was waiting for sisters to come back, but they didn't so that's kind of a bummer. We'll try again to meet with her. Maybe have a member, a sister from the branch, set it up.
I don't get fed by members very often here. Timisoara was where I could be fed 5 out of the 7 days of the week. Here, Sora Genoveva feeds us every week(it's really good) and President Popovici feeds us when we go over. That is it, though. But I've been learning to cook a little. Well, lol, not really. I've learned how to make lots of desserts, but that's about it. Snickerdoodles, no-bakes, carrot cake, yellow cake, lemon bars, etc. I'm really enjoying that, actually. I should probably learn to cook a meal, but hey, I still have over a year.
Woo-hoo! That is super sick that about the football game!! That must have been a super fun game to watch. The football team just needs to go all the way now. I'm sure J dominated. Keep me updated!
Well, you guys are the best. I should go now. I love you all! Happy birthday again, Mom. Thanks for the "I know". I love those. Have a great week, everyone. There's no transfer meeting this week, but next week, during Thanksgiving, we'll(the whole mission) be in Buch, because a general authority is coming. Have a good one.
Love, Elder Ross
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Okay but fighting homesickness with hard work
Hey You Amazing People!
Things have been going alright out here in Iasi. We finished handing out english fliers and had our first day of sign-ups on Saturday. It was decent, nothing special, about 50 people signed up. Hopefully a lot more sign up on Tuesday. It really wasn't the best week as far as missionary work goes. Probably my worst numbers ever, actually. It's hard, sometimes. We had a lot of lessons set up that didn't happen and so we last time with those. And then with getting english fliers out and having a day of sign-ups.
Personally, I'm doing alright. To be honest, this last week has been hard for me, for some reason thinking a lot about home and how much I miss everyone I love. Believe, I still worked hard, and I tried not to think on those things, but it was just one of those weeks. For some reason it was like that for my companion, too. We're both glad to have this new week and a chance to tear it up. It's our last week of the transfer. Next week I'll be telling you guys about transfer calls. Elder Hardman and I are both hoping that we stay together here in Iasi for one more. I know I will be really sad if I leave. It's all in the Lord's plan, though. We'll find out soon enough.
Thanks for those questions about how I am doing. Life is good and my companion and I get along really well. I definitely have no complaints about him. I think things might be a little easier once I pass my year mark. Right now, Mom's, J's and my birthday are all coming up and then Christmas. I think Christmas will be pretty hard. I really love you guys a lot and miss you. I do know this is where I'm supposed to be, though and I wouldn't leave the mission for anything. I'm really excited to talk to you guys at Christmas, though. That will be way awesome!
But the work goes pretty well in Iasi. We told two of our investigators, Adriana and Alina, to start praying about baptism so we definitely have investigators who are progressing. Adriana came to church again, as did Gianina and Adrian, Nicu's son.
The BYU girls left for Hungary Saturday and don't get back until this saturday, so we have to step it up a little. They do a lot for the branch and we have to fill in the gaps. For example, yesterday I taught primary. Adrian was the only one in the class, though, so we read together from the childrens book of mormon. First the story of Ammon, then we drew scenes from it. It was pretty fun. Then we read about when Christ visited the people in America. Then we did a puzzle of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was great. Also, I have to do the spiritual thought for FHE, because the BYU girls aren't here. It will be nice when they are back.
Yeah, sadly enough, we didn't have permission to dress up for the halloween party. I wanted to super bad, too. That's ok, I guess. It was still way fun. Nice, I am really glad to hear that others are getting really close to going on their missions, especially P. He'll tear it up! Don't worry about the packages, I'm sure they will make it fine. Hopefully I get them at transfer meeting on the 14th.
Dang, J, $15 an hour! That is some serious dough, dude! Sounds like a really good job, too. Nice work with the German. Keep it up, I want to become fluent in it when I come home and then we can speak to each other and make fun of everyone around us without them even knowing. Sounds like football is going really well, too. Keep dominating life, bro!
Well, I feel like I write less every week. Probably because I do. I don't know what else to write. Being district leader and trainer is awesome. I really like it. Those things don't stress me out at all, which is good. I only have one more district meeting this transfer, too. Then sisters will be back in Iasi. Did I tell you last week that I'm getting a cell phone at transfer meeting? Well, if I didn't, I'm telling you now. I can't wait, it will be so useful, a HUGE help to the work. I love you guys and pray for you. I know it helps you, because your prayers have strengthened me. Have a fabulous week!
--Elder Ross
Things have been going alright out here in Iasi. We finished handing out english fliers and had our first day of sign-ups on Saturday. It was decent, nothing special, about 50 people signed up. Hopefully a lot more sign up on Tuesday. It really wasn't the best week as far as missionary work goes. Probably my worst numbers ever, actually. It's hard, sometimes. We had a lot of lessons set up that didn't happen and so we last time with those. And then with getting english fliers out and having a day of sign-ups.
Personally, I'm doing alright. To be honest, this last week has been hard for me, for some reason thinking a lot about home and how much I miss everyone I love. Believe, I still worked hard, and I tried not to think on those things, but it was just one of those weeks. For some reason it was like that for my companion, too. We're both glad to have this new week and a chance to tear it up. It's our last week of the transfer. Next week I'll be telling you guys about transfer calls. Elder Hardman and I are both hoping that we stay together here in Iasi for one more. I know I will be really sad if I leave. It's all in the Lord's plan, though. We'll find out soon enough.
Thanks for those questions about how I am doing. Life is good and my companion and I get along really well. I definitely have no complaints about him. I think things might be a little easier once I pass my year mark. Right now, Mom's, J's and my birthday are all coming up and then Christmas. I think Christmas will be pretty hard. I really love you guys a lot and miss you. I do know this is where I'm supposed to be, though and I wouldn't leave the mission for anything. I'm really excited to talk to you guys at Christmas, though. That will be way awesome!
But the work goes pretty well in Iasi. We told two of our investigators, Adriana and Alina, to start praying about baptism so we definitely have investigators who are progressing. Adriana came to church again, as did Gianina and Adrian, Nicu's son.
The BYU girls left for Hungary Saturday and don't get back until this saturday, so we have to step it up a little. They do a lot for the branch and we have to fill in the gaps. For example, yesterday I taught primary. Adrian was the only one in the class, though, so we read together from the childrens book of mormon. First the story of Ammon, then we drew scenes from it. It was pretty fun. Then we read about when Christ visited the people in America. Then we did a puzzle of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was great. Also, I have to do the spiritual thought for FHE, because the BYU girls aren't here. It will be nice when they are back.
Yeah, sadly enough, we didn't have permission to dress up for the halloween party. I wanted to super bad, too. That's ok, I guess. It was still way fun. Nice, I am really glad to hear that others are getting really close to going on their missions, especially P. He'll tear it up! Don't worry about the packages, I'm sure they will make it fine. Hopefully I get them at transfer meeting on the 14th.
Dang, J, $15 an hour! That is some serious dough, dude! Sounds like a really good job, too. Nice work with the German. Keep it up, I want to become fluent in it when I come home and then we can speak to each other and make fun of everyone around us without them even knowing. Sounds like football is going really well, too. Keep dominating life, bro!
Well, I feel like I write less every week. Probably because I do. I don't know what else to write. Being district leader and trainer is awesome. I really like it. Those things don't stress me out at all, which is good. I only have one more district meeting this transfer, too. Then sisters will be back in Iasi. Did I tell you last week that I'm getting a cell phone at transfer meeting? Well, if I didn't, I'm telling you now. I can't wait, it will be so useful, a HUGE help to the work. I love you guys and pray for you. I know it helps you, because your prayers have strengthened me. Have a fabulous week!
--Elder Ross
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