Zone Conference in Iasi July 9, 2009

Elder Vogelsberg, Elder Garrett, Elder Johnson, Elder Barclay, Elder Schwartz , Elder Campbell,

and Elder O'Connell. Elder Benson is in front.

I was able to attend zone conference in Iasi while Joshua stayed in Barlad for the second day of Bridge of Love's summer camp. I took an early morning maxitaxi to Iasi, and then went back to Barlad that night. It was great to be with the missionaries. There was a wonderful spirit there and lots of great participation. I always love zone conferences and I was able to spend most the 2 1/2 hour ride back to Barlad telling a college student about the gospel. She gave me her name and number and wanted to learn more!

Chişinau Zone! What a great group!!!

Elder Ott and Elder Benson are all smiles not only after zone conference, but most of the time!

Elder Thompson, Sora Simkins, Elder Anderson, and Elder Ott

Elder Ferrin's cousin was in Barlad with the American volunteers. I took him greetings from her!

Bridge of Love Summer Camp-July 8-10

Bridge of Love is a foundation that my husband and I started in the year 2000, after taking our family to a Romanian orphanage for Christmas. We immediately saw that we had much to do. We needed to figure out how to bring our son, Joshua, home, as well as how to find hope for the rest of the children that we had grown to know and love. We began by taking supplies to the abandoned children, orphanages, and hospitals, while working daily to figure out how what must be done to bring the children hope. One thing led to another, and when we received the mission call, we had 40 children who had been removed from orphanages and hospitals, living with families in the city of Barlad. We had an incredible Romanian staff consisting of a director, social workers, a teacher, and a psychologist that assisted these children and their foster families. We also had many projects in place for the children, as well as a project for older teens who still lived in an orphanage in Barlad.


When President Eyring called my husband and me to meet with him, he asked me if I would be able to leave the orphans if my husband was called to serve somewhere in the world for 3 years as a mission president. Through tears, I told him that I had trusted in the Lord to guide us in taking care of these children, and that I would continue to do that. I said I would do what the Lord wanted us to do.


Through tears himself, President Eyring told me that he knew the Lord wanted my husband to be a mission president. He said that he didn't know where that would be, but it would be a non-English speaking mission. Our assignment would come two months later, in February. He then made a beautiful promise to us. He said, "I promise you that the orphans will do fine in your absence. I will promise you that the foundation will do EVEN better than it was doing when you were there.

I took great comfort in that beautiful promise. I handed the foundation over to a wonderful board, under the direction of my nephew, Jeff Hymas. And as promised, the foundation is going extremely well. I'm so very, very grateful for those who have taken the baton and run with it. I never worry a bit about the foundation or the children, and I can put my efforts in the missionaries and the mission. A group of volunteers from America came for a week during the summer. Joshua was invited to attend the summer camp for three days. I took him there, accompanied by my niece, Liesl, and they had a great time. I was able during that time to head to Iasi ( 2 1/2 hours away) to participate in a zone conference with the missionaries.


The church has not arrived in Barlad yet. Over the years, I've wished that I knew the mission president in Romania so I could ask him to send missionaries to Barlad. Now I know him. And I have asked. But now I see what all goes in to opening a city, getting approval, having the means to support a branch, etc. I will continue to pray that the people of Barlad will be searching for truth. And when that day comes that the Lord wants his missionaries to go to Barlad, there will be people that are ready for more. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had this summer to share the gospel with foster moms, staff, and people on the train.

American volunteers come to Barlad to help with the children!

The three day summer camp was SOOOO fun. The theme was "Curaj." (Courage)

Aren't they precious!

We have several sets of twins! The two girls, Irina and AnaMaria, are twins!

Another set of twins, Bogdan and Stefan.

We love this little guy, Bogdan. He and Joshua have a special connection.

It's fun to see the children thriving. Most of them were babies and toddlers in the orphanage when I first met them. They went hours, untouched. They would bang the back of their heads on their cribs. Most of them had big, bald lumps on their heads from banging so long. Now they have families---and love and nurturing. They are dressed cute, they have plenty of food, and they have hope!

Cousin Liesl Comes to Town! July, 2009!

We were fortunate to have our niece, Liesl Mielke, come stay with us for the month of July. She is an elementary school teacher and we wanted to make sure that Joshua was on target with his schooling after a year in Romania. Liesl was also accompanied Joshua to a couple short summer camps during July. It was fun to have her here, and we are grateful for her help.

Because of a transportation problem in getting to the first camp, we needed to ride with President and the Assistants on the first part of an interview trip. So, Liesl was able to see one time during her trip to Romania, her brother, Elder Mielke. He was serving in Galati for his last transfer before heading home. Joshua is quite worried about Elder Mielke hugging a girl!

We walked down to the wharf in Galati which is 5 minutes from the building where church is held and took some pictures.

Liesl and Joshua in Galati.

July Interviews at the Mission Home

I try to remember at times when missionaries are near to pull my camera out and get a snapshot or two for families waiting to see their favorite missionary! I did remember this particular day to get a couple pictures. I usually have chocolate chip cookies for the missionaries. Sometimes, I come up with something else. On this particular day, I had homemade carmel corn adn ice cream cones. I FINALLY found cones at one store in Bucharest, and two days later, my daughter sent a couple boxes of cones!

Sora Oltean (mini-missionary), Sora Vasileva, President, Sora Howard, Sora Richards, Joshua, and Liesl.

Elder Sandberg, Elder Holmes, Elder Tilby, Elder Campbell, and Elder Morgan pose after interviews!

Mormone Spectacol--July 4, 2009

We had a really great event in the Bucharest District on the evening of July 4. Sora Turner, one of our senior missionaries is the new Activities Chairperson. Under the direction of President Doru, the district president, she organized a wonderful talent show. The members said this was a first for this kind of activity in the district. It really was well-done and there was such a good spirit there. The talent was amazing, the crowd was enthusiastic, and the missionaries were in full force. The last number was presented by the missionaries as they walked to the front singing, "Called to Serve." Afterwards, they mingled with the people, shaking hands, and looked for referrals. It was a night to remember!