We've continued working with the leaders, members, missionaries and friends in Cluj-Napoca to help them better understand the doctrine and administration of the Church. We've had great successes and some disappointments. Here's a visual summary:
The venue for a high school concert; some of our church members are in the group of teenagers
The Church provides our notice for our return home about two months in advance; our first notification was received mid-June.
President Ivory took the leaders of the Cluj-Napoca Branch and some of his friends out to a restaurant for a traditional Romanian meal the evening before a Zone Conference in our building.
Lunch for the Zone Conference provided by Sister Nelson and her "go fer", me. The sister just above the "flower" arrangement is of Iranian descent; she was able to meet and fall in love with our Iranian converts. Her father, who speaks Farsi, was able to Skype with them. These two Iranian converts were hungry to talk to another Farsi speaking convert. The sister above her right shoulder was one of our favorites; I fear that we'll end up having an "umbrella" themed wedding reception for her one day (don't ask).
Our "Cluj-bound" Book of Mormon copies for each of our kids. The bookbinder for the Romanian Orthodox Church did this for us and does the same for most of the missionaries.
Our PHD candidate, investigator and friend
Another wonderful family of Romanian friends.
Anything will grow in Romania; so many wonderful fruits and vegetables. The face of the sunflower will follow the sun across the sky each day. We love the parallel to each of us looking to the "Son" each and every day.
Two photos from Sister Nelson's Relief Society "swan song" in Cluj-Napoca
The Lee family; Brother Lee is an engineer for a Korean aircraft company working in Romania. The "International Branch" (English speaking members from all over the world) meet each Sunday in the Mission Office.
How about these ice cream cones; we got them in Budapest, Hungary when we visited our Iranian friends
A castle in Budapest, (actually Pest in this case) built right into a rock cliff on the Danube.
The Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest
Another pic of our Iranian friends; their story is inspirational as is their faith. It was very emotional saying goodbye to them. We are thankful for Skype so we can stay in touch with them and follow their pursuit for citizenship in a free country.
A beautiful family palace, now a hotel, in Oradea, Romania
Below are examples of the beautiful architecture in Cluj-Napoca.
Our Cluj-Napoca Branch members
Some of our sister missionaries and young women who we have taught in Sunday School in Bucharest.
Our Italian friends; he works at the Italian Embassy in Bucharest; we hope to visit them when they return to Italy in a few years. We'll go to the Rome Temple together.
Two Romanians we sooooo respect and adore.
We finally reach home; our day of travel was the day Delta's computers went down, We were delayed over 3 hours in Amsterdam and missed our flight from Seattle to Wenatchee; fortunately my oldest daughter and son came over to Seattle and picked us up.
Part of our greeters at home
The baptism of one of my grandsons, Xander, a few days after our return. We are so glad we've been able to serve our mission and hope to continue our lives even more dedicated to help our family, friends and others grow closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Goodbye for now, perhaps until our next mission (but it'll be a few years).
