April plus post

We’ve had an exciting few weeks as we work into the middle of April and towards the end of the first third of our mission.  We’ve been helping the elders teach a young couple who recently arrived from Malaysia.  Their landlord there was an RM and they were impressed with our religion so they took a few lessons there and decided to continue when they came to Romania.  They came to church to continue their education (and live in a block apartment just across from the church).  She is finishing her doctorate in nutrition and he has his master’s in business communications.  We’ve had them over to our house 3 times and they’ve had us over to theirs once (2^nd time scheduled for tomorrow night).  They’ve had very little religious background particularly with a Christian religion but were encouraged to seek us out because of our desire for peace, love of family, etc. and the promises we have through the atonement and resurrection of Christ.  I cannot express how refreshing it is to talk to such people. 

We are also working with other investigators of our church; much of what we do is like riding a rollercoaster reminding us what it was like as we were investigating the church.  We were excited as we learned new doctrine and then frightened as we heard false reports from enemies of the church.  The fact that there were enemies of the church was in itself somewhat of a testimony building experience.  We hope that this will also be the case with our investigators but it is not always so ere go we experience their ups and downs with them and pray they will have the strength to overcome these barriers.  Unfortunately this is not always the case.  

Another transfer will occur this week; we will lose and gain even more than our last transfer, around 15 going and 15 coming.  We will miss some of the missionaries leaving this transfer as we’ve had several months to get to know them and appreciate their marvelous natures and contributions to the work of the Lord.

Last week was General Conference, of course.  Since we are 9 hours ahead of SLC our schedule is a little different than those in the States.  We went to one of the branch buildings to watch the opening session of conference Saturday evening.  We watched the second session Sunday morning at church and the third session at our Malaysian couple’s apartment.  We watched the last session at home Sunday night; I’m watching the priesthood session a little at a time.

There were too many distractions at the branch building to appreciate President Packer’s remarks in the opening session as I was listening through our investigator’s ears and they were having trouble understanding him as they spoke neither English well or Romanian at all.  I later read his remarks when they came out in writing a few days later and was surprised at the wonder of his message.  It was about the “plan of happiness” but to me it was just about “Family” (I was surprised at the number of our leaders that concentrated on the importance of the family).  The one remark that stood out for me as I was listening with all of the distractions was reinforced as I read them; marriage “began the great adventure of our lives”.  He discussed the wonders of marriage and family and its necessity for the proper development of self-restraint and discipline to the growth of love quoting “See that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love” (Alma 38:12).  His expression about his love for his wife (and in extension his family) mirrors mine “When it comes to my wife, the mother of our children, I am without words. The feeling is so deep and the gratitude so powerful that I am left almost without expression”. He, of course, also emphasized the importance of Christ and the atonement in our lives and how it can be used to, not only, overcome our sins through repentance but also overcome our weaknesses; I’m trying to incorporate that premise in my life because I have a lot of weaknesses.

The Romanian Orthodox Church (basically the same as the Russian and Greek Orthodox churches as I understand it) often celebrate Easter usually at a different Sunday than the rest of the Christian world;  this year they celebrated it a week later but the differential in time may be greater.  It was kind of fun; each Romanian would greet another with “the Savior lives” and the automatic response would be “verily He lives”.  The words have meaning for some; for others it is just as casual as saying “hello” and then they go on with their lives without thinking of anything. 

Yeow!  We just had transfers! I think over half of our mission (over 60 missionaries) was in and out of our small offices.  It is a very exciting time as missionaries greet old companions and friends from whom they’ve been separated and say goodbye to friends going home.  It is also very exhausting dealing with all of their energy, excitement and good nature while trying to carry on the normal everyday activities of the office (bills, contracts, opening and closing apartments, etc., Yuk). 

Update: our Malaysian friends were baptized; what a tremendous couple.  I was privileged to baptize the wife and the RM that introduced them to the gospel flew in from Malaysia to baptize the husband (he was in country Romania for just over a day).

Here are some pics from the past month (OK, month plus).

yea; just a typical sewer cover here in Buc

Krisy's date at a local restaurant in one of our favorite neighborhoods.

One of our major efforts is to teach these wonderful people what they can do to strengthen the branch; this is an Easter activity Sis. Nelson designed/worked on with the RS president and younger sister missionaries.

Yep; you guessed it!  Another great restaurant in that same neighborhood; most of the villas look as good as this one.

There is a lot of graffiti in Buc; this and the next pic show some great stuff (it's near an art college).

Best hot chocolate i've ever had in a great restaurant.  Have I told you that going to a new restaurant is our Friday or Saturday date activity?

Another great neighborhood; these chimneys remind us of Marry Poppins

There is beauty everywhere one looks; sometimes one just has to look a little harder.

Need some space?  Just cut a building in half and build.

A doorway in a obscure building.

I swear the lady in the back wasn't there when I pushed the button; it took a while to actually take the picture.  The lady in front makes it all worth while, though.  It was spring and we were walking in a park (see the next pic, too).

The most famous restaurant (what else) in Bucuresti and for good reason; good views, good service and good eats.