The "Walking" Book of Mormon ~ România 🇷🇴Mission ~

When Billy was on his mission in Oklahoma, they had a "Walking" Book of Mormon!  He said they had some great success with reaching out to people because it was funny, interesting and unique!  He decided to create one here in Romania and all the missionaries thought it was a hoot! Unfortunately, the mission president (2/2020) didn't think it was such a good idea so we put it on the back burner (corner).  Then, last month, when we got our new Mission President, Pres & Sister Rucker, they thought it was a creative tool to use so we brought it back to life and have had a great time using it!

Aug 27, 2020

The Elders asked if we could take them around to some historical sights in Bucharest ~ we were all on board! They wanted to use some pictures in the "Walking" Book of Mormon for their Vlog and some just for their Facebook page! The top left picture #1 Elder Sarkady at the Romanian Athenaeum; a concert hall and a landmark of the Romanian capital city.  Pic #2 Elder Chandler at the Revolution Square where many historic buildings are housed. Pic #3 is the Arcul de Triumf (Arch of Triumph); the first wooden "triumphal arch" was built in a hurry at the end of WWI so the victorious troops could march under it when Romania gained its independence in 1918; later, in 1935, it was replaced with stone. Pic #4 in front of Gucci; the Elders said Romanian's love Gucci 😉. Pic #5 one of many government buildings. Pic #6 Statuia Ecvestra a Lui Carol I (Equestrian statue of King Carol I) located on Calea Victoriei and stands across from the Royal Palace of Bucharest. Pic #7 Piata Victoriei (Victory Square) mass amount of pavement with an intersection of (it seems like) a zillion lanes exiting onto another zillion streets.

In Bucaresti we are still not allowed to proselyte because of the pandemic but having the missionaries put the BoM on and just walking around brought a lot of interest and questions for the Elders.  So even without them approaching anyone they were approached instead.  We shared Facebook information and invited a woman to come to an activity and church.  The Elders had a fun time and did some dancing and fooling around!  Elder Sarkady would cross the street and then turn and dance right in front of the stopped cars!  Elder Chandler was on top of the bridge and danced for the drivers going under the underpass.  It was so fun just watching them and being with them!  They are both fantastic missionaries and it is hilarious to watch them.  I love that wherever we go we have our name tags on that let everyone know we are representatives of Jesus Christ.  So whether they are really paying attention to us they always look at the nametag and we always want to be nice and friendly so they can see our light shine through our countenance and know that Jesus Christ makes a difference in our attitude and in our life! I still say "Hi" to everyone, just like I do everywhere I go but I do have to stare the Romanians down a little bit longer than usual in order for them to say "Buna Ziua" back to me (but I will usually get a sweet smile with the greeting)!

I know this looks like a lot of treats . . . and it is!  I have put on quite a few extra pounds since arriving in Romania ~ Luca's is to blame (and my inability to turn my back and walk away 😋💛😏).  Luca's, by far, is the best pastry I have ever tasted - bar none. It literally melts in your mouth and I could eat these pastries all day long (it's a good thing there is not one close to our home).  I just get the white yogurt/custard filling and it just slides down my throat, the guys get the hot ham & cheese. Scrumptious 😋! We had Luca's towards the beginning of the day and by mid afternoon, as we were finishing up, we walked to the Sweetology ice cream shop to end our excursion on a very happy note!  Overall it was a very fun time.  The other missionaries have talked about using the "Walking" BoM but we need to bring it down from Brasov to give them a chance!