(25) ~Zone Conference ~ February 2020 ~ Romania 🇷🇴Mission

2/25-26/20

It's time for Zone Conference and we have 2 Zones in Bucharest that we will host: Bucarest Zone and the East Zone.  We will attend and serve lunch for both! 

The *'s indicate our District "Panduri"Since our own kids grew up and moved away from home I am not much into cooking.  We've been very fortunate to have had previous callings down at BYU where we cooked dinners or desserts for large groups (wait, I'm sorry, did I say, "cook"?  I totally meant to say 'gather' food for large groups and serve up delicious meals and/or scrumptious desserts)!  Being here in Romania is no different and right up our alley. I somehow didn't take a picture of the table and all the fixin's but it was a site for these missionaries as they gobbled it all up!  We always have an ample amount of food so that no one ever goes wanting.

Lots of hello's before we start! The first Zone Conference was our "Bucharest" Zone (Panduri, Mihai Bravu, Pitesti and Ploiest) and the 2nd was the "East" Zone (Iasi, Constanta, Brasov, Bacau and Galati).  The Conferences were held at the Mihai Bravu Branch in Mihai Bravu. It's a smaller building than the Panduri Church but it doesn't have permanent benches so we can pull in tables and set it up for a nice conference area.
We decided to have IKEA meatballs, mashed potatoes, gravy, lingonberry, fresh rolls, lots of fruit and delicious desserts! Bill and I went to IKEA a number of times and then Bill had to run out to the grocery store about 3 more times while I was setting up.  Thank goodness the Christensens were our co-partners; it was fun having them preparing it with me while Bill was our gatherer! We used crockpots but ended up just using the oven which was faster and easier! I could not have done any of this without the help from the Christensens - they are fabulous (and it was so fun to do it together)!The Conference lasts about 6 hours (with a 30 minute lunch break) and is filled with inspirational lessons, talks and music. Needless to say ~ it is a blast.  There were about 25 of us both days and it was so great to meet two thirds of the Missionaries here in Romania!Since this was Bill and my first Zone Conference we were asked to introduce ourselves, I mostly talked about our family and, of course, Billy had so many good things to say.  That guy just has a way with words.  He shared some story that had them all mesmerized ~ he is such a great speaker even within a short 5 minute span.Sister Teuscher, along with some other newbies shared a few minutes with us as well.  "Dr" Sora Fillerup(er) ~ I am not sure why but I thought I heard her name with the "er" at the end so in my mind that is what stuck 😂😂😂. Of course, I no longer say it outloud 😉.President and Sora Hettinger spoke and gave some great insight about the Gathering of Israel.  They had the missionaries write down the new friends that they have visited with, those that were taking the discussions, all the Baptism dates scheduled and those that were safely gathered in through Baptism.  I love visual aids and she had some amazing ones. They are both so positive and uplifting and a joy to listen to!As you will notice I accidently post some of the same pictures in the collages - my bad.  I sometimes don't pay enough attention but when I see my mistakes I am just too lazy to fix them 😯.  I'm sure you probably don't notice as a collage is just something you might glance at and don't inspect too much, but just in case . . .! The top pic is of 2 of our talented Sora's - Sora Kartchner and Sora Weaver doing the music, then the amazing Elder Matthews, our cute Mission Pres and wife, the sweet Christensens ~ who are our partners at these Zone Confs, Sora Hansen who has since finished her mission and gone home, our fabulous doctor, Sora Fillerup who is totally incredible and we all put our complete trust in her, and last but not least is me with Sora Weaver who is the granddaughter of one of my friends friend in Draper; not sure if that made sense but just saying it is such a small world!! Sister Weaver is one of the most enthusiastic Missionary's ~ we first met her on a random street and she had just invited an elderly man to come to church and he came and came again and was one of the 5 that was baptized a week ago Saturday! We celebrate Birthdays at Zone Conference.  Once Bill and I  get the hang of things I think I will spruce up the birthday celebration (Big Time 😉)!The Elders and Sora's have a little time to visit and catch up with each other at these meetings ~ it is so sweet to watch such a fine group of kids enjoying each other's company!This is the East Zone but I didn't get any good pics of them 😥.  We did meet 2 more of the Senior couples; The Petersens (Isai) and the Tibbets (Brasov) ~ they are the best and it was so fun visiting with them and getting to know them!These are 2 pics of the Hungarian Missionaries (both on the left) and the Romanian Missionaries (both on the right).  I'm missing pictures of the Missionary's in different Districts in both Country's. "Oh, What a Day"!

(24) ~ panduri district ~ Romania 🇷🇴Mission

February 24, 2020

This week was fun, busy and interesting!After church we were visiting and realized we had our whole mission district still hanging around. We quickly got together to take a picture (Nate, from game night, was our photographer).  What a wonderful group this is; it will be the first, out of many, districts we will have. I will always hold this group in my heart forever as it was our first Mission experience in Bucharest! 

Panduri District: (from left to right): Elder McLaws, Elder Church, Elder Matthews, Sora Matthews, Sora Gaskin, Sora Tuescher, Sora Richardson, Elder Richardson, Elder Firth, Elder Wilkinson and Nabil Haji (one of our pre-missionaries). We still refer to the Elders as Elders because to translate it into Romania it means "Old Man"; that might refer to some 😏 but all the missionary's go by "Elder" (young and old[er])!

We had Sora Tuescher (far left), Nabil's sister; Andrean and Sora Gaskin over for dinner and a lesson.  Andrean and Nabil have a sister, Olfa, that is serving in AZ right now and so we are helping Andrean learn more about the Gospel and prepare for a mission herself!  It is such a delight to have the missionaries in our home. We are all looking up different scriptures pertaining to the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  It is amazing that we now just tap on our screens and all of our scriptures quickly come up on our phones. How incredible is that 😇! Bill, Elder Wilkinson and Elder Firth teach Nabil each Saturday to prepared him to serve as well! Such a great family! It is truly a blessing when these kids ask for one on one time with the missionary's.  We are hoping they can go on a mini-mission for a week with the missionary's this summer!

We continue to venture out on the subway, bus or tram to go to our various activities. Many times we circle around and head back on a different route to only find out we are still on the wrong line 😅! It's hilarious 😆!  It didn't take us long to get it right and become expert public transportationist!

We went out with the Richardsons to the Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest for lunch. The atmosphere was beautiful and the meal delicious.  With the Richardsons leaving so soon they took us to all of their favorite places! 

Muzeul Național Cotroceni ~ România🇷🇴Mission

2/19/20

We had a fun outing to the Muzeul Național Cotroceni!  We took the Metro and then met up with the Richardsons and Christensen's.

The museum operates inside the Cotroceni palace.  Our tour consisted of the Medieval kitchen, the inner courtyard, the church, the Hall of honour, the cellar and the 1st and 2nd floors. 

We were unable to take pictures inside of the museum so I bought some postcards and put them in instead.  It was very beautiful inside and even the postcards do not do it justice.  The uniqueness of the furniture, structure and artifacts are more associated with each individual who lived there more so than the value of the items. I found this so interesting as it felt more personal and homey. 

The museum has little classes for schools and/or individuals so that the children can remember forgotten personalities, lost history of their country, artist, politicians and all the people that helped shape their country; keeping its heritage alive. Many times in our travels the history of each country and city blows my mind.  America is such a young country compared to the rest of the world whose countries date back thousands of years and has so much history where they have been divided, conquered, rebuilt, etc.  It kind of hurts my brain.

We had dinner at the Golden Blitz; a very nice, eloquent restaurant. Here are the sweet Senior Missionary Couples in Romania: the Christensens (YSA Missionaries), the Richardsons (Humanitarian) and us (Member Leadership Support)!

As our fun, exciting day came to a close we were more than exhausted.  We took the trolley home, the Richardsons took the subway and the Christensens took the bus. With the great transportation system that the city offers you can get to just about anywhere with only a few blocks of walking.  It reminds me a lot of New York in that way!

Jump forward a few weeks and we enjoyed dinner with the Senior Missionaries but it was more of a "Welcome"/"Going Away" party.  The Falslevs arrived to take the Richardsons place as Humanitarian Missionaries.  We are thrilled to have the Falslev's here but so sad to see the Richardsons leave.  We will miss them dearly!

(23) ~ don't give up ~ Romania 🇷🇴 Mission (PRE-Covid19)

(19) ~ don't give up ~ Romania 🇷🇴 Mission 

Tuesday 2/18/20

I know you're not going to believe this because even I am having a hard time registering it. The Good News is that yesterday as I was showering I saw this big white "C" out of my good eye.  I would close it and see if I saw it in my surgery eye but it was only in my good eye. Needless to say it was a big red flag.  We made an appt and Bill took me to the Retina Specialist right away.  Low and behold, yes . . . my right eye has something going on in it ~ what a pickle. These are all the emotions that I went through within 3 minutes as the Dr was explaining things 😏😕😖😢😟😞😦😧😨😩😫😬😳😲😮😯😶😥😐😕😌.  She was glad that I came in today because we will have a marker to see what happens in the next few months. 

There is a possibility that nothing will get worse; I'll go back in 4 months and we'll see if it has gotten worse or just maintained its current status. 

After the appointment, to cheer me up, Billy took me to the Burger Station!  There was a pastry shop right next door so we hurried and filled my tummy with some yummy, freshly baked goodies and my endorphins went right up ~ there is a fix for everything!

🙏 My prayer list is getting longer and longer but I'm adding me back in while we are still out on our Mission 🙏.  Hopefully, it will be ok throughout our Mission so we don't have to come home early; although Robbie keeps telling us that he thinks we'll end up coming home early (right about the time they move in 😂). 

(22)~ Return and Report ~ Romania 🇷🇴Mission

February 15, 2020

When we have new missionaries arrive in Romania, they go out into the field (their apartments and area) for a few weeks then come back for a special meeting with the President and his wife.  It is referred to as  "Return and Report".  

This is a fun, special meeting as they get to relate all that they have been doing, any struggles that they may be having and then a lesson from Pres and Sora Hettinger. The kids love this and it is a small group so they can discuss any and all concerns.  They also share what they have learned while being out this short amount of time and the many miracles that have already taken place thus far on their mission. The Assistants to the President (AP's) get to come along (and speak) as well as the companions of the new Elders and Sora's.  At this Return and Report meeting our whole district was invited ~ Sora Tuecher and Elder Wilkinson were both new so Sora Gaskin and Elder Firth got to join them and Elder Laker and Elder McLaws are the AP's. Fun!

Bill has a favorite restaurant in the mall that serves all kinds of wonderful items; right next door is the grocery store, Carrefour.  We went and bought all the supplies and then picked up the pulled pork and all the delicious toppings and fries ~ scrumptious!  Then we traveled over to the Mihai Bravu Branch building where the R&R was held!

Bill & I and Elder & Sora Christensen served this small group of 15 the pulled pork sandwiches, fries, fruit and some yummy dessert.  I forgot to get a picture of us, the Christensens and the table before it was cleaned up!  I only got a quick picture of the Elders and Sora's because I'm still not quite sure of what I can and cannot do 😉! It was a fun time especially since we will be here with these young missionaries their whole mission! This is the "after" picture of the meal.  The kids could come back for 2nd and 3rds and many of them did! It was a fun afternoon and even more great to be around these amazing kids, the President, his wife, the Christensens and the Missionaries! The callings that Bill and I have together are the best ~ we both have our strengths and weaknesses and we balance each other out pretty well!

(21) ~Game Night - Romania 🇷🇴Mission

Saturday, February 15, 2020

~ GAME NIGHT ~

The kids have game night every Saturday night. The Elders and Sisters started this up months ago and it is the highlight of everybody's week!  The Elder's and Sora's (Sister's) bring snacks for everyone (which we hope to help with from now on)! 

This is our fun 'Date Night'! It is always better when we both have the same calling and just divvy up who does what.  As you can guess I'll take the lead in these activities and Bill can visit 'one on one' for most of the evening.  He did join in on all the games but after he gets out he gets to go visit (I never know if he gets out deliberately or if it just happens 😏).

I cannot remember all of the friends names but in the upper left hand corner is Elder McLaws, Tommy (not his real name), Bogola, Olivia, Nate, Diana, Sora Tuescher, Sora Gaskin. Bottom pics are Olivia and Elder McLaws again, Elder Firth, Elder Church and Sora Gaskin!

The missionary's are great and are always sharing the Gospel message even at game night! They are only allowed to come if they bring a friend. They usually have a pretty great turn out.  There is a ping-pong table and a chess set and just a great place for them to come hang out, laugh and enjoy each others company!

Bottom 2 pics are Elders Firth, Sarkaty, Nate, Tommy, Elders McLaws, Elder Laker, Joseph and Tommy! I think that covers everyone except TB who was playing chess with a friend and 3 others that were playing ping-pong!  I am not sure who Madi is?

You can skip this part but I want to add it in so I can remember how to play it with our kids/grandkids when we come back home! 

One of the game goes like this:  Everyone writes their name on a piece of paper.  The host collects them and then hands them out all mixed up.  We set in a circle (with one empty chair) and there are 4 chairs set up front (with people sitting in them).  The purpose is to have 4 girls or 4 boys end up in those 4 chairs at the same time. If I got the paper that said "John" every time someone called out my new name "John" I would take the empty chair.  The person on the right of the now new empty chair (my old one) gets to call out a new name.  If they are female and are already in one of the 4 chairs up front and the one next to them is empty then they try to get a person of the same gender to fill that chair so they could call out "John" (which is me) and I would take the empty chair that is up front.  So in essence you need to learn all the girls "new" names so that when a empty chair is available up front you try to get her in that chair. It is wild and will be much easier once we know the kids better. They had a ball and we had a blast watching them!

This really was a super fun game; a little harder if you don't know the kids names and even worse when you can't pronounce them 😝! Elder Sarkaty is part of a trio until his new companion arrives (his name was hard for me to pronounce too and he is American 😧)! 
Nate is in the blue shirt and was the best group leader all night.  He tried to be real patient with me but it was a stretch! We also played "Signs" ~ my all time favorite from Hill Cumorah!  
After the games the Elders or Sisters take about 10 minutes for a spiritual lesson.  It's a perfect ending to a perfect night!

(20) ~happy together - Romania 🇷🇴Mission

February 14, 2020 

Valentines Day

Our little Branch is having a Valentines "Date Night" tonight at the Theatre
(Young Missionary's excluded). 

Before we enjoyed the evening out we had the wonderful opportunity to join the young Elders and Sora's at District meeting! We have a new elder, Elder Wilkinson, from the UK; he has the coolest accent, ever! Elder Laker and Banks were transferred and they will be missed tremendously but we still have a great group and will now embrace Elder Wilkinson and Elder Church into it. It's getting close for the Richardson's to be going home.  We are saddened by this but they have been such great trainers and examples to us that I am sure we will be able to do all we were sent here to do!

We feel so blessed to be around such spiritual and powerful young men and women. It's amazing to think that Kobe is in Mexico doing the same things as these kids.  Time fly's so fast! Our group consists of Sora Tuescher, Elder Firth (DL) & Elder Wilkenson, Elder's Church & McLaws (ZL's), Sora Gaskin and Elder & Sora Richardson!

What is it about the Theater that is so exciting?  Is it the gathering of the audience having a night out or being on a date with someone you really like to be with? Is it the adrenaline or the excitement of the actors on stage? Is it the anticipation of having fun and laughing hard? I don't know what it is but it is just fun! Even though we didn't understand a word they were saying we still had a sensational time!

It definitely takes a great deal of talent to get up and entertain and these actors were some of the best! Like I said before, even though we didn't understand any words, their interaction with the others were hilarious and you could get a good idea as to what they were joking about.  It is probably a good thing we couldn't understand their words as I'm pretty sure we would have ended up walking out 😏!

The skits were so funny and for them to convey their messages and jokes just through performing is pretty remarkable! The short gal was insanely amusing. All she had to do was walk on the stage and you started laughing. It was a great witty and wacky show! 

These 2 performers were fabulous.  They are famous and continued getting standing ovations.  I can't remember their names but the woman has recorded 100's of songs and is known throughout Romania. 

The singing and dances were all so beautiful and the performances were hilarious.  It was so great to be able to go with the Richardsons ~ they truly have been our best friends here in Romania! How we will miss them!

After the show we walked down to the car; there was a huge long line waiting to pay the parking ticket with 3 different lines trying to move to the front 😟. It was a pickle; after we paid we went out to the car and our neighbor was parked over our line and within inches of our car.  Billy had to shimmy into the drivers side; I don't know how he did it or how the passenger of the other car got out or how the driver drove in with mere inches from hitting our car.  Billy was able to escape without scratching their car.  Crazy, crazy  parkers 😬.  Fortunately, we made it home safe and sound and it was a delightful, wonderful Valentines Day!