July Interviews

Joshua and I love hanging out with the missionaries while their companions are having interviews with President Lundberg.

Elder Hales makes sword for Joshua

Sora Shepherd and Sora Lovell

Elder Jeppsen, Elder Mielke, Elder Williams, Sora Davison, and Sora Thompson

President Lundberg, Sora Jensen, Elder Bailey, Sora Ertel, and Elder Hansen

Elder Bailey and Joshua play a little bit of "hoops."

The language is coming

My Romanian is coming along---ever so slowly. However, I continue to learn a little. I speak so slowly, but people don’t seem to mind. The Romanian men all kiss my hand when I see them and the women kiss both sides of my cheeks. One lady cried yesterday and said that it was great to hear me trying to speak their language. They are all so sweet and help me fill in the blanks when I stutter. When I speak from the podium, they are all so attentive and smiling. They all come up afterwards and tell me that they understood everything. (Then they continue to talk to me as if I understood everything, which I don’t.)

Gathering of the Girls!

The "Soras" gather at the mission home before heading back to the field with their new companion.

Sora Lovell and Sora Poulsen Sora Larsen, Sora Montague, and Sora Betham

Soras gather around the table while Elder Mielke, who's currently in mission home on medical leave, listens in!

Out with the old, In with the new!

It was time for an amazing group of missionaries to return home. Although we had only known them for three weeks, we loved each one of them. They had served well and had been a blessing to this mission. Best wishes to you all.

We will miss you all!

Arriving the day before was our new group of elders. President Lundberg and I had met them at the MTC in Provo a few weeks earlier. It was fun to see them again. We conducted the traditional new arrival agenda of meeting with the new missionaries at Cismigiu Park where Elder Russell M. Nelson had read the dedicatory prayer of Romania in 1990, two months after the revolution. The new missionaries have the opportunity to go "bloc-knocking_ into the flats of apartments (blocs) the afternoon of their first day. The following day, they receive their first trainer and companion and begin their missionary work!

Elder Boyd, Elder Grimmius, Elder Fromm, Elder Tilby, Elder Herrick, Elder Nelson, Pres. and Sora Lundberg, Elder and Sora Rees, (new office couple)

In with the New!

Elder Tilby and Elder Fromm relax with the effects of jet lag. They are waiting for the gathering when they will meet their first companion and- trainer, and see where they will be assigned to serve.

Missionaries get final instruction and encouragement from President Lundberg before getting their new companion and heading out to work!

Elder Nelson's first companion and trainer will be.....Elder Burrows!

Elder and Sora Rees arrived to serve in the Mission Office! We are thrilled to have them here!

Our assistants, Elder Rigby and Elder Jepsen, have been invaluable to us as we learn the ropes. They are always happy and willing to "assist."

Elder Herrick will be trained by....Elder Hardman.

The Mission Home is full of great missionaries for the 3rd day in a row. It's Mission Council!

Joshua teaches the missionaries how to play Nertz while they await interviews with President Lundberg. Joshua loves interview days!

Joshua got his first Romanian haircut. Elder Ward walked us to the frizerie in Brasov where he gets his cut. The beauticians and barbers sure aren't as talkative here as they are at home! (I guess they don't speak English!)

NEW ARRIVALS!

Six new elders arrived safely from the MTC. We are thrilled to have this great group join the mission!

President Lundberg, wind-blown Sora Lundberg, Elder Herrick, Elder Nelson, Elder Fromm, Elder Tilby, Elder Boyd, and Elder Grimmius

Joshua, The Missionary

Joshua has done really well since we arrived 3 weeks ago. He loves the missionaries and has caught on to the missionary spirit. Here is a story of his good work.

Last Sunday we were in Iasi at the hotel. We went into the restaurant for breakfast. When President and I arrived, Joshua was at a table conversing with 3 people. It turned out to be the owner from California and friends. We then set down. Our waitress took our order and then left. Joshua said, “She’s cute. We should tell her about the gospel.” I said, “Okay.” When she returned, Joshua said, “Excuse me. But do you want to know why we are here?” The girl said, “Yes.” Joshua said, “See these badges we are wearing? We are missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Do you know about our church?” The girl said, “No.” Joshua said, “Well, would you like to go to church with us today? The girl said, “I’m sorry. I have to work.” Joshua said, “Next Sunday?” The girl said, “Where is your church?” I then said, “Near Stefan cel Mare” (which is a national landmark). Joshua then piped in, “If you go there, two missionaries will meet you and then walk you to the church.” The girl smiled and I said, “Actually, we do have a very important message about Jesus Christ. We have two missionaries that are young ladies about your age that would be able to tell you more about what we believe. If you would like to give me your name and phone number, I could have them call you. The girl said, “Okay," and she wrote them down. Joshua took the paper to church and gave it to the sister missionaries.

What an example he is!

Luiza's Baptism

President, Joshua and I arose early this morning and left Bucuresti at 7:30 a.m. for a three hour drive to Craiova. It is a large city southwest of Bucuresti. It was just opened to missionary work three months ago and they were having the first baptism there. So, we went for sacrament meeting and the baptism which followed immediately after. President, I and one of the assistants were the speakers in sacrament meeting. I've attached a few photos from the baptism. It was done in what we call a "bazine" (portable font). There were five investigators there for the meeting and baptism, including Luiza's (the girl baptized) mother. It was the last Sunday in their mission for two of the missionaries there – a great way to end their mission!

President and I with Luiza and the Elders

The font

Picnic in front of the People's Palace

The missionaries and some of the branch members had a picnic on the very hot afternoon of July 4th. Hot dogs were cooked on a small grill, games were played, and friendships were strengthened. President Lundberg had to stay at the office, but Joshua and I joined the fun. What great people are here in Romania.

Meeting the Missionaries

President Lundberg, Joshua, and I went to the Mission Office for a luncheon which was being held to celebrate the 4th of July (a day early.) Many of the missionaries from the Bucharest area came to meet us. It was so fun to finally see "our missionaries!"

Elder Stinson, Elder Sorensen, Elder Johnson, Elder Patterson (We have a lot of "Sons" in our mission! Just look at their last names--and there are more!)

Sora Hirghiligiu is a wonderful senior missionary. She is Romanian, from the city of Iasi, and has been a blessing to the work in the mission office where she serves. She is good to help me with my Romanian and acts like she can understand the little bit that I can speak.

Bloc-knocking with the Assistants

Joshua joined Elder Jepsen and Elder Rigby for his first experience in the "blocs." These are the big concrete buildings with several floors of apartments. When they knocked on the fifth door, they were invited in. The missionaries were able to have an hour-long discussion with the couple that lived there. Joshua enjoyed playing games on the computer.