Some Days are Like That!

Waiting members and missionaries!

One Sunday after church, several branch members and missionaries stayed for the baptism that was to be held one-half hour later. The font was filled and everybody was excited for a wonderful young man to join the church. The young man had a testimony of the gospel and the Book of Mormon and was anxious to be baptized. However, he did not show up for church, and did not show up for his baptism. The young man was on board for the baptism the night before when the elders talked to him on the phone, but then he did not show up. We all felt very sad about the situation--especially the missionaries who had worked with him. We found out later that his parents who lived in another country got word to him that they would no longer help him with his education if he joined the church. I met the young man a few weeks later, at church, and he told me he does believe and will be baptized when he can. He's a great young man and will make a great member.

Spring Has Sprung!!!

We are so glad that beautiful signs of spring have come to Romania. The weather is getting warmer, the blossoms are on the trees, and Joshua is ready to play! His dad caught us offguard as he snapped this photo of the two of us playing fotbol in the courtyard outside our front door. Joshua was glad he could be without a coat, and I (the one wearing tennis shoes with a skirt) was glad to take off my gloves, scarf, and hat! Joshua loves to play at this same spot each day either fotbol, dodgeball, or volleyball.

More Fun at Zone Conference

The missionaries love to get together at zone conferences. It's always so great to see them together!

Elder Letham, Elder Castro, Elder DeGuzman (standing), Elder Garrett, Elder Nelson, Elder Grimmius,

and Elder Burch

Elder Davis on the left, from back to front: Sora Jones, Elder Holmes, Elder Stromberg, Elder Sorensen

Elder Sorenson, Elder DeGuzman, Elder Holmes (yes, that heart is for his mom) Elder Stromberg, and Elder Davis

And there was never a happier people!

This sweet couple with the Lundberg family is from Brasov. The man, Levi, is a new member. He and his girlfriend are great additions to the branch.

Bela Weber goes to Hungary!

President Lundberg, Bela Weber, Elder Manzione, & Elder Thompson

One of the really special things we get to do here is spend the final evening with missionaries who come to the mission home to be set apart and interviewed before they leave the next morning for their mission. Most the missionaries who have served are the only members of the church in their family. Sometimes this is a difficult time for families who have not come to love and embrace the gospel like their child has. I look at these young people, all spit-shined, scared, and willing to serve, and am awed by their courage. What a wonderful thing it is to have a burning testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love missionaries!

March at the Mission Home

Missionaries chat at the dining room table while waiting for their interview with President Lundberg.

l-rt: Elder Anderson, Elder Thompsoon, Elder Sandberg, Elder Jensen, Sora Betham, Sora Taylor, and Elder Boyd

The Hansen Family
This was a fun time. Sister Kay Hansen (left--and a missionary living in Germany and working with the Outreach Program) along with Sister and Brother Hansen (former Romania Mission President and wife, now overseeing the Outreach Program in the Europe Missions) and Elder and Sora Hansen (the missionary couple in our mission overseeing Outreach in this mission) meet for a weekend of meetings. Not only do they share the same name, they are all family!

Okay, I have tried and tried to get this picture switched around, and it won't work. It wasn't this way in my file, but I can't get it to turn. So, use your imagination or tilt your head, but this was Joshua on St. Patrick's Day. Many thanks to his sister, Kirsti, who sent green jello, green kool-aid, green chocolate and pretzels, green candies, etc. It made for a fun time for Joshua. Although he had to wear his navy blue and white uniform to school, and the school did not celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Joshua said he still pinched a lot of people.

Role Playing at Zone Conferences

At zone conferences during March, we talked about the importance of "Testifying First." There are many times when a missionary only has a few moments with a person in passing, and the words that the missionary speaks should be a powerful message about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We call this approach, Testifying First." It has been amazing to hear the missionaries speak about their experiences with people as they immediately testify of an important part of the gospel. People have stopped in their tracks and listened. They don't always set up an appointment, but they can feel the power and hopefully the spirit of truth. Grumpy faces have softened as testimonies of the restored gospel are shared. And yes, many have been interested and wanted to know more.

Below are pictures of the missionaries as they practice a "testifying first" approach.

Companions, Elder Grant and Elder Wycoff!

New elders, Elder Martineau and Elder Lyon!

Elder Nightingale and Elder Divis

Elder Davis and Elder Harley

Elder Morgan and Elder Burrows

Leaders in New Arad District

l-rt, front row: Fratele Paniti (counselor in Timişoara Branch Pres.), Preşedintele Piper (Arad Branch), Fratele Munteanu (counselor in Arad District Pres.), Preţedintele Ursu (Arad District President) , Fratele Bivald (counselor in Arad District Pres.), Fratele Moldovan (counselor in Arad Branch Pres.)

Back row: Preşedintele (Elder) Anderson (Timişoara Branch) , Elder Jessee (exec. sec. Arad District Pres.), Preşedintele Lundberg, Elder Wondra (Area Seventy), Preşedintele Geambaşu (Oradea Branch), Preşedintele Fotea (Deva Brach).

It was such an exciting day when the new Arad District was created. Many members from the four branches involved attended the meeting. The spirit was strong and the saints were happy. The photo above includes the new district presidency, the branch presidents from Arad, Timisoara, Deva, and Oradea, Elder Wondra from Germany, and President Lundberg.

Sunday in Arad!

Sunday was a beautiful day in Arad. After the forming of the new district, there were happy people everywhere!

Elder Anderson, Elder Hardman, Elder Wondra (area seventy from Germany), Elder Smith, Elder Davis

Missionaries prepare to go sing at the hospital.
Elder Horgmo, Elder Foote, Elder Moore, Elder Frandsen, Sora Simkins, & Sora Thompson



Children play together at the Jessee home while fathers/grandfather are in a leadership training meeting.

Women gather at the Jessee home while men are instructed at the church.

Elder Wondra, Joshua, and President Lundberg eat breakfast together.

Elder Wondra has gotten to know Joshua quite well!

Arad branch members prepare sack lunch meals on Saturday. ALL the people who attended the meeting the following day where the new Arad District was created were fed.

March Madness---in the mission field!

March was a very busy month for the mission. Joshua and I were able to take the sleeper train to Timişoara on Friday night where we were picked up early the next morning by President Lundberg and taken to Arad for a zone conference. The missionaries were all in good spirits and it was great to be with them.

Sora Shephard and Sora Richards, great companions!

Nils Berguson visits with Elder Platt. Nils and his wife, Emily, are Peace Corps volunteers living in Braila. Nils and Emily went to every zone conference this round, presenting plans for our new English program. English classes are one of our greatest missionary finding tools. Nils and Emily have been instrumental in working with our assistants to put together a book that our mission will use for the English classes. Many good ideas and changes will help make this program more uniform throughout the mission. Also, a lot of time will be saved as the missionaries follow the guidelines in the book.

Emily Burgeson, Sora Simkins, Elder Wondra, and Elder Jessee enjoy some lunch.


Elder Anderson, Elder Oberhansly, Elder Smith, Sora Thompson, Sora Sherhard, and
Sora Richards enjoy a game of Sorry and some food while waiting for interviews.



Elder Taylor, Elder Ward, Elder Jensen, President Lundberg, Elder Davis, and

Elder Smith--- munching down some pizza at zone conference.

Elder Frandsen, Elder Moore, Elder Foote, Elder Horgmo's top of his head, Elder Campbell, Elder Wilde, and Elder Hardman gather together at lunch to get caught up on the latest news in the mission!

Missionaries in Piteşti!

President Lundberg and the assistants spend a lot of time each month traveling throughout the country to meet with missionaries for interviews and to give them encouragement and guidance in their work. We love our missionaries and are grateful to them for their dedication in taking the message of the restored gospel to the people of Romania.

Elder Despain, Elder Morgan, Elder Fitzgerald, and Elder Burrows in Piteşti.

Sora Gibbons practices the keyboard at the vila.