Quick December Update!

Eight baptisms took place this past weekend. It is always such a special time for the mission when we see the joy of people who have found the gospel. One recent convert said to me, "I now feel like I see life in color." The gospel truly adds a whole new dimension to life and our understanding of so many things. We now have 128 baptisms for the year. We continue to move forward, looking for Heavenly Father's children who are ready for a deeper understanding of His plan.

Sister's in Zion and Helaman's Army

This post is coming out of order, since I'm only ready to post June's pictures. However, I was anxious for friends and family to see our missionaries singing at a recent zone conference in September. We had two different zone conferences, with half the mission attending each. We took the first day and went to Castle Peleş in Sînaia, and the second day we were at the church in a regular zone conference setting. We talked to the missionaries about the fact that we are all of royal birth, being children of our Heavenly Father who loves us. The people here in Romania and Moldova are the same. We are here for this season of our lives to find our brothers and sisters and bring them knowledge of their divine birth. We also want all to know that we have been promised a divine inheritance, all that the Father has, if we prove true and faithful.

This mission is truly full of amazing missionaries. Helaman would have loved them! They are faithful, hard-working, dedicated, and obedient. They have strong testimonies of the gospel, and they know how to sacrifice. When we are gathered together, you can feel the Lord's spirit in our midst. It is wonderful.

So, enjoy listening to our own little army of warriors. You can watch them practicing the number on the bus, and you can see them performing it at the church. I hope you can feel the spirit as we all did when the song was being sung.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a28WS6DJmPc first day's bus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xTbKX1z868 second day's bus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBcMPQeKybg first day's group

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WRDfyj7d7w second day's group

Baptismal Update!

As of Sunday, December 5, we have 120 baptisms for the year. All missionaries are working hard, fasting each Sunday for the rest of the year, and seeking the guidance of Heavenly Father as they search for more of His children who are prepared for the blessings of the restored gospel. Miracles are happening each day. We have lots of progressing investigators and lots of baptismal dates for the rest of December. We pray that each of these people will have the faith they need to come unto Christ. Thank you for your prayers on behalf of our missionaries and the people of Romania and Moldova! Happy Holidays!

May sights in Romania!

We have a lot of great things to see as we travel through Romania.

Beautiful neighbor children right outside our front door. These children are originally from England.

This "ghost factory" is seen on the road going past the little town of Mărăseşti, between Bacău and Focşani.

We love seeing the little villages tucked back into the hills and valleys. There are also churches everywhere! This quaint little place is between Bacău and Iaşi.

This flock of sheep was wandering along the side of the road. But never fear, their shepherd is with them, leading the way.

These oil refineries are seen on the road to Ploieşti. They replaced the ones that were bombed by the American troops during WWII.

Zone Conferences with Elder and Sister Camargo ---May, 2010

Elder and Sister Camargo came to Romania for a Mission Tour. Elder Camargo is an area seventy, from Brazil, but living now in Spain. The Camargos met with the missionaries, helped with Bucharest District Training, and spoke at the Bucharest District Conference. We enjoyed getting to know them.

Missionaries enjoyed getting together. Above: Elder B. Johnson, Elder Sorenson, Elder James, Elder Hafen, Elder Jentzch, and Elder Gulden.

There were lots of missionaries to feed.
Looking at the camera: Elder James, Elder Holt, Elder O'Connell, Elder Smith, Elder Ritz, Elder Martineau, and Elder L. Jensen.


Elder Matthes, Elder Sorenson, and Elder Dobry are "ours" for a while. They were called to one of the Ukraine Missions, but they served two transfers with us in Moldova.

Elder Hafen, Elder Jentzch, and Elder Stapleton all speak Russian.

Birthday wishes this transfer go to Elder Matthes, Elder Sullivan, Sora Larsen, Elder K. Jensen, Sora Turner, and Elder Betteridge.

Brother Radu, Elder Fromm, Jonathan Burrows (former missionary), and Fong visit in the hall.

It was fun to see Jonathan again.

Elder Matthew, Elder Sorensen, Elder Jentzch, Elder Stapleton, Elder Hafen, Elder Harvey, and Elder Holt prepare to leave.

Elder Ritz, Elder Smith, Elder O'Connell, Sora Slaeman, Elder Frandsen, and Elder Jensen packing up to head out into the world!

Elder Zavala, with Elder Sullivan, our amazing pianist.

Elder Betteridge and Elder Sanchez with Elder Ellsworth who hurt his leg ---running?

Elder Smith and Elder Boyd---pumped up and ready to go.

Elder Vogelsberg with Sora Gogu and Sora Walker.

Sora Harward with Elder Rasmussen, Elder Olson, and Elder Schafer.

These girls always add such beauty to the photos!
Sora Kiriyama poses with Elder Smith, Elder Hafen, and Elder O'Connell.

A big group with the Camargos.

Elder O'Connell, Elder Smith, Sister and Elder Camargo, Elder Frandsen, Elder Ott, Elder Vogelsberg, Elder Schwartz, and Elder Zavala.

Joshua talked Elder Camargo into going out front and kicking the soccer ball around with him.

Elder VanOrman, Sora Lamoreaux, Elder Marks, Elder Bigu, Elder Bennett, Elder Mathis, and Elder Oberhansly are---holding up the wall, I guess.

Elder Marks, Elder Oberhansly, Elder Lainhart, and Elder Frew must be promising to get their 72-hour kits comleted and put them in the sack that Elder Frew is holding. (Sidenote: Many of the missionaires filled their 72-hour kit as advised, but many have eaten the food from them them when their money gets low at the end of the month!" Sad, but true!)

Elder Grimmius, Elder Toronto, Elder Carrell, Elder Allphin, and Elder K. Jensen just enjoyed a great lunch!

Sora Mudge is at the left, while companions Sora Staley and Sora Jay smile for the camera.

Full missionaries are happy missionaries as seen here with Elder Boehme, Elder Gunter (he will smile a little more when he's through eating), and Elder Brunner.

Elder Layton, Elder Bennett, and Elder Vandermark, with mini-missionary, Vlad Blaga from Oradea.

Elder Bernier, Elder A. Johnson, Sora Karina, Elder K. Jensen, Sora Hupp, Elder Lainhart, and Elder Allphin prepare to leave with 72-hour bags in hand. Sidenote: Elder Allphin never changes his tie---he wears it EVERY day.

Elder Linerud helped his wife and Elder and Sora Dummar in the kitchen. He is trying out the strawberry shortcake.

Brother Radu, Elder Harley, and Sora Stapley prepare to go back for our afternoon session of zone conference.

Elder Moore, Elder Vekony, Elder Ferrin, and Senior Sister Cooks, Sora Dummar and Sora Linerud.

Elder Lyon, President Lundberg, and Elder Grimmius. I use to think

President Lundberg was tall.

Elder Gunter, Elder Layton, and Elder Boehme---great young men (they all are, for that matter.)

You can tell they all like being together!

Elder Toronto, Elder Bigu, Elder Carrell, Elder Gunter (front), Elder Lainhart, Elder Mathis, and Elder Veenendaal.

Joshua with the Camargos at the People's Palace.

Former Mission President, John Ashby, and his wife, Lenore came to Romania for a visit.

Sora Lundberg, Sister and Brother Ashby, Sora Geta (member), Sora Dummar, Sister and Elder Camargo. We were able to have the Ashby to dinner one night and had a great visit.

Sora Lundberg, Traian Constantin, member and friend, and Sora Turner, a senior missionary.

Elder L. Jensen and Elder Gulden, snack a little after interviews with President Lundberg.

Tyler Sorensen, a former missionary, came back to Romania to visit. It was great to see him.

Sora Hupp, Sora Karina, and Elder Boynton, also enjoy cookies while waiting for interviews.

Elder Holt and Elder Boynton pose outside the vila in Balti, Moldova.

Members and missionaries in Balti!!! This city was opened in Fall, 2009.

Elder Johnson and Elder Olson---off to find the elect.

Sora and Elder VanWormer are taking care of business, while Katea, a member and accountant for the church, helps with the translation.

A warm day in May. This is not an unusual sight. I went out to my car in the parking lot of Joshua's school, and found several sleeping friends!

Elder Schwartz and Elder Benson on transfer day.

Elder Garrett, Elder Ott, Elder Vandermark, Elder Moore, and Elder Lyon pose after a meeting at the mission home.

Elder Martineau, Elder Schwartz, Sora Hupp, and Elder Benson prepare to leave.

Sora Hardy, perplexed Elder Ott, and Elder Frew are ready to hit the road.

Missionary Memories in May!

New group of missionaires arrive safely from the MTC to Romania---ready to begin!

Missionaires love to be together!
Elder Harley, Elder O'Connell, Elder Ritz, Elder Martineau, Elder Smith, Elder Moore



That was one crowded room, but with a happy group!

Elder O'Connell and Elder Schwartz are surprised about something!

President Lundberg is doing a little proselyting with Stefania, the parking guard at Cismigiu Park.

Waiting for their final interviews, Elder Tilby and Elder Grimmius visit and show what two years of hard work can do to one's socks!

Going Home!

President and Sora Lundberg on final night with Elder Herrick, Elder Boyd, Elder Nelson, Elder Tilby, Elder Grimmius, Elder Fromm, and Sora Staley.

Sora Staley's parents came to get her. Her mom was just as nice as Sora Staley is, and I think the dad was lost in Bucharest.

Elder Fromm, Elder Grimmius, and Elder Tilby are great friends.

Elder Tilby gives the tie he wants to leave behind for the "Tied to Romania" wall!

Elder Frandsen, on his first morning in the country, is busy teaching the gospel. He's continued to work hard every day with the same zeal and commitment.

Elder Bernier and Elder Johnson preaching at the park as well. It's also Elder Johnson's first day in the country.

New Group of Missionaires.

Front: Sora Holman, Sora Puckett, Sora S. Hansen

Back: Elder Z. Jensen, Elder Kopsa, Elder B. Johnson, Elder Herman, Elder Finch, Elder Frandsen, President and Sora Lundberg

Closer view of our great new missionaries: Sora Puckett, Elder Herman, Elder B. Johnson, Elder Finch, Elder Frandsen, Sora Holman (hiding), Sora S. Hansen

Trainers show up to get their new companions.

More new trainers!

Elder Kopsa meets Elder Bennett.

Elder Herman meets Elder L. Jensen, his new trainer.

Sora Puckett meets Sora Holden. They will have a great transfer together.

Elder Bennett will train Elder Finch in Craiova!

Sora S. Hansen meets Sora Olsen. They then headed to Sibiu.

Area Seventy, Elder Stephen Kerr (second from right) comes to Romania and does a special zone conference in Arad.

Missionaries: Elder Boynton, Elder Moore, Elder Ferrin, Elder Martineau, and Elder Smith, with Joshua walking past.

Elder Boehme, Elder Bennett, and Elder Layton are excited to be together.

Elder Bigu, saying something important, while Elder Vekony agrees.

Great missionaries in Arad!

One of the sweet members in Arad brought me flowers!