Sunday in Craiova! March 1, 2009

We had the opportunity of attending church in Craiova this past Sunday. The group was small, but the spirit was strong. There were four local members in attendance, four investigators, the four missionaries serving in Craiova, and the five of us (two assistants and our family). I think all members in attendance bore their testimony. It made me think of the early days of the church, meeting in a small room in the basement of a building, and people sharing their deep gratitude that truth had once again been restored to the earth.

We were then invited to a quick and delicious Romanian dinner at the home of Brother and Sister Râdulescu. Afterwards, we had to hurry back to Bucharest for interviews with the missionaries. Brother Spooner, an American who has just moved to Craiova and works for Ford, took the picture. I will need to get a picture of him next time. His wife will be joining him soon after the birth of a new grandbaby. They will be in Romania for 3 years.

Elder Oaks, Sister Oaks, and President Oaks Visit Romania! February 25, 2009

We had the privilege of having Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, his wife, Sister Oaks, and President Robert Oaks of the European Area come visit Romania. They arrived Wednesday afternoon, had lunch at the Mission Home, then did a meeting for all the missionaries that evening. We had a quick dinner after the missionary meeting, followed by a meeting for the Romanian members of the church. The inspired words of our leaders were a blessing to all! It was a delight to have the Oakses here in Romania. They couldn't have been nicer!

President Robert Oaks, Sister Kristen Oaks, Elder Dallin H. Oaks

(The two Oaks brethren are first cousins! This is the first assignment they have had together!)

Elder and Sister Oaks were extremely cute with Joshua.

The Senior Missionaries met together for a quick dinner inbetween meeting sessions.

Many thanks to Sora Hansen for arranging the dinner.

Pres. Lundberg, Elder Hardman, Sister Oaks, Elder Ward, Elder Oaks, Pres. Oaks, Elder Jensen

Front: Joshua, Elder Davis

Thursday morning, we went on a tour of the People's Palace. Elder Oaks' grandson, Elder Ward, and his companion, Elder Jensen, accompanied us.

February Mission Council!

Mission Council always takes place the day after Transfer Meeting. I meant to get a few more angles of the attending missionaries, but forgot. So, from my seat, you can see a few of the missionaries that were in attendance. This is always a great meeting where there is much planning. discussion, and guidance on how to press forward in having successful missionary experiences.

Sora Cannon, Sora Benson, Elder Wilde, Elder Campbell, Elder Eliason, Elder Hruska, and Elder Harwood!

Mission Miracles

Here in the Romania Bucharest Mission, we have miracles happening every day. To read your missionary's miracles, click on the flower to the left. We know the Lord is watching over us and have become more aware of the miracles in our lives.

Transfer Meeting! February 18, 2009

Transfer Meeting is always such an event! It is a meeting like no other. The room is packed with missionaries waiting to see who goes with whom---and where! There is excitement in the air, cheers from the crowd, and hugs for each other.

Elder Jensen meets trainer, Elder Ward, before heading to Oradea!

Elder McBride holds my camera and I later find this! You can't help but love this face!

Missionaries love to mingle after transfer meeting before heading out into the world to preach!

Elder Taylor and Elder Smith prepare to head back to Oradea!

They Come, They Go! We Love Them All!!!

February 17, 2009, was a day of "change" that happens every six weeks in our mission. A new group of missionaries arrive from the MTC, full of fire, and ready to preach the gospel. At the same time, another group completes their 18-month or 2 year mark of service, and spend their last day in Bucharest. It is an emotional day for all---excitement, nervousness, anticipation, etc. We love it!

President, Sora L., Elder Martineau, Elder Ferrin, Elder Davis, Elder Lyon, Elder Boynton, Elder Jensen

Our new group of arrivals this time consisted of six elders. They are an amazing bunch and are already hard at work. They all have radiant countenances, strong testimonies, and the desire to bring the gospel to the Romanian people. We expect big things from them!

Eating lunch before transfer meeting-- where the new missionaries will meet their first companion.

Jet lag sets in for Elder Ferrin and Elder Martineau!

L-rt, front row: Elder Davis, Elder Schwartz, Elder Thompson, Elder Manzione, Elder Roundy, Elder Stromberg, Elder Patterson, President Lundberg

I was outnumbered at the going away dinner. Since Elder Patterson was the only missionary in his MTC group this time, we invited the assistants and office elders to have dinner with us as well. We didn't want Elder Patterson to feel too lonely, and we wanted to thank the elders that were being transferred the following day for their help to our family (Elder Roundy and Elder Stromberg). It was a great evening and we had a wonderful, emotional testimony meeting after dinner.

Good luck, Elder Patterson! We love you and will miss you!

Evening with the LaBarge Family! February 14, 2009

On Valentine's Day, President Lundberg, Joshua, and I went to dinner at the home of the LaBarge family. They are a great family who are members of the church and attend the Panduri Ward. Their father, Blair, works for the American Embassy, and their mom, Evonne, is the new Primary President. Joshua has enjoyed getting to know their children when we attend church in Bucharest. We had a fun evening visiting and eating an American meal of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, chips, etc. The children had a great time playing video games together, also.

Brandon, Amanda, Alex, and Joshua turn from their Wii game to get their picture taken.

Blair, Brandon, Amanda, Evonne, Alex, Joshua, and President Lundberg

Vorbim Româneşte---puţin.

Sora Turner, Sora Lundberg, Sora Dillon, and Sora Hansen

Okay, I know this is pretty funny. Three of the senior sisters and I have Romanian language study classes twice a week, and I am teaching them. Go ahead and laugh. I'm sure you are wondering how one who cannot speak Romanian can possibly be teaching these classes. Well, all I know is that I teach them some of the things I have learned, and they like the class and say they are learning. When we sang "De Tine Am Nevoie" in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, I had to turn, catch Sora Hansen's eye, and almost give her a "thumbs up" because we both know how to sing this song from memory now.

Zone Conference in Braşov! February 7, 2009

It's always such a wonderful experience to attend zone conference. The missionaries are so excited to see each other and catch up on how everyone is doing. There is always a great spirit in our meetings as we learn about becoming better missionaries. This particular zone conference was really great as we got to take our daughter, Erika, with us and introduce her to many of our great missionaries!

Elder Roundy, Elder Harwood, Elder Nelson, and Elder Burch gather in the foyer to eat and visit.

Joshua, Elder Holmes, Elder Castro, Sora and Elder Van Noy, and Elder Davis enjoy nachos and cheese---something we rarely find in Romania!

Sora Taylor, Elder DeGuzman, Sora Smith, Elder Patterson, and Sora Howard pause for a photo!

Elder Letham, Elder Horgmo, Elder Rakozy, Sora Ostler, Elder Grimmius, and Elder Eyre

Elder Frew, Elder O'Connell, Elder McKinlay, Elder Carroll, and Elder Schwartz

One thing I think is really fun is when we have large groups of missionaries get together and you can quickly see that members of the MTC groups seek each other out. The missionaries generally develop a close comraderie at the MTC that lasts throughout their mission. It's great to see their love for one another and the excitement they show when an MTC friend shows up!

Sora Smith, wearing a blindfold, is trying to listen to the right voice to get her back to her hidden camera. Important lessons were learned about our needing to tune in to the spirit and follow it, always blocking out those things that would lead us in the wrong direction.

Sora Taylor and Sora Smith, companions serving in Brasov!

Erika Comes to Visit! Hooray!!!

Our beautiful daughter, Erika Banks, came to visit us on February 4. She was able to stay for a week. Erika is our fifth child, teaches 5th grade, and is living in our home with her husband, Justin. Erika and Justin are expecting their first child in May. While Erika's school class was off track, and Justin was still busy in school, Erika came to see us for a week. It was so great to have that one-on-one time with her, which is a rare happening with a lot of children. Erika was able to have lots of missionary experiences with us while she was here---riding the train to Brasov, attending zone conference, witnessing a beautiful baptism, attending language study classes with the office staff ladies and her mom, etc. We love you, Erika. Thanks for coming!

Mom and Erika enjoy a week together!

Joshua was thrilled to have Erika come. He made her a little valentine on scratch paper that said, "Erika, I love you dearly!" Joshua misses Erika a lot.

Erika, Joshua, and the pigeons in Brasov!


We bought flowers from a little lady on the street in Brasov for Erika!

Family photo at the center of town in Brasov.

Mom, Erika, and Oana.

Oana runs a tiny store which is 30 seconds from our front door. She sells a little bit of everything there. I walk over daily to get fresh bread from her. She is very sweet and we have become good friends. I made sure that Erika got to meet her.