35th Wedding Anniversary In Iasi

Today is our 35th wedding anniversary and we decided to celebrate in two ways.  First we asked a new member of our branch  who is an artist to paint us a picture of the Romanian countryside.  He was pleased that we asked him and we were pleased with the pictureThe farmers field is growing beans and I love the red poppies.  It looks nice in our apartment. 

 Next, I got a new winter hat, called a cachula and we went for dinner with our district.  We actually found a chinese food restaurant and it was very good.

We spent some time passing out english flyers for our next session starting this week.  Teaching English for free is a great way to meet people and we always have a spiritual message after each class.  Of course we teach the advanced english because we don't speak Romanian.  Did I mention that they drive their cars and park their cars on the sidewalk.  I don't think I will ever get used to this.

Everyday this week, either the power or the water went off for a couple of hours.  Have you ever put your makeup on with a flashlight?

This is a pretty church we walk past. Iasi is the city of 100 churches, unfortunately they are all orthodox or catholic but we keep trying.  The gospel must be preached to all the world. 

Wanderers in a Strange Land

As we were doing our scripture study last week we came across a fantastic scripture in Alma 26:36-37.  God has been mindful of us as we have been wanderers in a strange land.

We had a wonderful Seniors Conference in Brasov where we got to see the beautiful city and tour the area.  Even got to visit Dracula's Castle which was great fun, and got some important training on our work.

Dan is standing by the opening to the secret staircase.  It was a wonderful day.

I thought you might like to see the pictures of the castle.  It was built in 1420 and the King of Romania lived there.  If you want some fun you can research Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula stories.

It's tricky here in Romania-this week while I was doing my wash the city just shut the water off-and kept it off for several hours.  Apparently this happens quite frequently and for that reason we store water in our apt. , the laundry will just have to wait. 

We had a wonderful missionary lesson tonight with the sisters and with a college girl they were working with.  She accepted the challenge to be baptised.  She made a profound statement, she said I wanted to read the Book of Mormon to gather information, I quickly learned that this book is much more than that.
 I'm gaining a new testimony of the Book of Mormon everyday here in Romania.  It is truly the word of God.

A Great Week Exploring Iasi

Here are a couple of pictures of Dan standing in front of our church.  It is 4 stories high, main floor is chapel, next floor up is branch Pres. office and library and class room.  Next floor is RS room and small classroom and kitchen.  Top floor is apt. where the missionaries live.  See that little gold sign on balcony-it says Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints.

Our branch is great and we are so happy to be able to meet these wonderful members.  Many of the members are the only member of their family so there are lots of singles.  We only have two children who don't attend regularly so we don't have Primary.  There is no YW/YM .  Our attendance at Sacrament meeting is about 30 people.  The missionaries work so hard and usually have several investigators each week.  RS is great and is taught in Romanian and translated in English by the

missionaries. 

Here are some pictures of our apartment.  We love it and it is roomy with his and hers bathrooms.  I have a washing machine which works great but no dryer.  All wash is dried on a clothes line.

It is so fun to walk the streets of Iasi and buy fresh hot pretzels every day.  I wish I could speak the language to talk to the people, but thats for the missionaries.  We teach English two days a week and Family home evening and Institute.  We are also getting to know the members and visiting them as well.  They treat us so well.  We love teaching the gospel and look for every opportunity.

Our First week in Iasi (Yash)

Here are some pictures of the Roman Catholic Church here in Isai.  This is the compound of the Convent, Catherdral,& Biserica.  We walk past these everyday going to the church.  By the way I've never walked so much in all my life.

This palace was built was built by Stefan cel Mare in the 1400's, he was the king. Notice the street and sidewalk. Walking is difficult at times on the poor conrete.  The weather is beautiful and the sun shines everyday. I love it.

Here is another plaza we walk by on our way each day, we can get dry cleaning done or eat a delicious pastry that is to die for.  Just to be sure we are trying all of them. 
And This is my new apartment building!! I hope to move in very soon.  We got all the approvals today from the office so maybe in two more days we can move out of the hotel.  I.m very excited.  Iasi is a college town with 6 universities so we are excited to hopefully get Institute and activites going.  The language is a problem.......We have maybe 3 girls in the branch that would attend and 5 BYU girls who live here for 4 months working in the orphanages.

We are happy to be here and pray daily to learn the language and to help the people.

Our Arrival in Romania

Airport in Seattle

Airport in Paris -I wanted to go sight seeing

Sleeper car from Bucharest to Iasi, it was at least 100 degrees.

Safe arrival and exhausted-slept one night in four days

So glad to be here!!!!

Missionary Training Center

It has been an amazing week here at the MTC.  With 2800 missionaries, the place is alive with energy, in every different language.  We really enjoyed our classes on Preach my Gospel, and practise teaching and learning our language.  We had two great (famous) speakers Elder Jay Jensen of the seventy and Barbra Thompson of the Relief Society general board, and many other not so famous speakers full of the spirit and enthusiasm for missionary work.

The art work in the MTC is inspiring, and I loved it all but these two pictures in the cafeteria drew my attention everyday.

We are excited to fly out in the morning and meet our mission president and begin inviting others to come unto Christ.

Called and Set Apart

We were set apart Thursday night before flying out Friday.  It was a beautiful evening and the blessings were wonderful.  It reminded Dan of the same experience 37 years ago going to Indiana, and for me it was exciting to hear the words" full time missionary. "

No looking back now, just full speed ahead