August 13, 2013

More pictures....

August 13, 2013

Buna Buna!

I have just a short time to write today! We are going to look at some apartments that we might be moving into in just a little while.  And I am sorry I couldn't write yesterday! We've been pretty busy around here.  Yesterday President and Sora Hill were in town and we had interviews. Afterwards they took out our entire district to dinner. We went to a place called "Restaurant Ratio" It was so good. Since we're so close to Hungary, you can get a lot of Hungarian dishes here. This restaurant makes the BEST Goolash (Spelling?). 

So this week we had exchanges again with the coordinating sisters. Exchanges are so much fun. I went with Sora Stapely and she's from Mountain Green, Utah so pretty close to home!  We did a lot of contacting that day as well as have a lesson with a less active member. 

This week we also went to go visit a member of the branch who is in the hospital. She suffered what they think is a heat stroke. She is home now, so we're happy about that. The hospitals here are... so not what they're like in the US. There were 6 people with Sora Crista in her hospital room. They didn't even have curtain to separate them. The halls didn't have lights and the walls were starting to crumble down. There was no type of front desks or security and people can just walk in and out of where ever they want. I have never appreciated United States health care more than I do now.

As far as lessons go, the lesson we had with the less active member was our only one this week. We were dropped by a couple investigators this week so that's kind of sad. We still have Isabela but she is kind of taking a break from us right now while she tries to work some things out. We are still trying to keep in touch with her and hopefully she'll let us know when we can come back and talk to her and teach her more.

So that's the more gloomy part of the week, but HERE is the good stuff. Since we've had a little bit more time this week without our lessons, we've had more time to do contacting. We've been able to teach the first lesson multiple times in the park with people. And now we have a couple new investigators as well as a bunch of new potential investigators.

Just today we were contacting in a park, and we passed this lady who was eating on a park bench. I felt like we needed to talk to her so strongly. Sora DeRuvo suggested we wait until she's done eating before we talk to her because Romanians do not like it when you interrupt their eating. So we sat on  a bench were we could keep an eye on her ( my gosh, missionaries = Creeps sometimes!). But as soon as she finished we  nonchalantly walked passed her again and explained to her we're missionaries and that we'd like to share a message with her. At first she was stand offish but after a few minutes she invited us to sit down and talk with her. As we talked she became more and more open with us. She was all covered in dust and in work clothes and she explained to us that she was on a break from work. GET THIS- She works on old building to restore them! Okay  cool. She does restoration... Yes. Let's talk about a restoration! As we talked she listened so intently and when we gave her a Book of Mormon she was so happy and grateful. She asked us for our phone number and then she asked if we had missionaries in Bucharest because she lives there some of the time, then she asked for THEIR number too. We gave her ours and theirs and then we got hers. Solid. Botez. This is why we love contacting. There are so many people who are so ready to at least begin to understand this Gospel.

So that is this week!
Now we're off to look at apartments!

I love you all so much! Thank you for your prayers. You're in mine as well!

Love,
Sora Ralls

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

July 22nd, 2013

Buna!

Transfer one is over! I can't believe it. I've completed an entire transfer already! Time goes by so fast on a mission. And guess who's going to Bucharest tomorrow! Our entire district. We're taking the over night train again, but this time we get our  own sleeper car! The elders are going down because Elder Adams is getting transferred. We are so sad! We have such a small and close district. Sora DeRuvo and I are not sure why they are having the two of us go down to Buc, but they asked us to. We figure it's probably for visa stuff. We leave her tomorrow night, arrive in Buc on Wednesday morning, and then get back on the train to come back Wednesday night. Everyone loves going to Bucharest on transfer week because you get to be with so many other missionaries!

I am so glad I'm not being transferred and I am SO glad Sora DeRuvo isn't being transferred. I really could not ask for a better companion or trainer. We just laugh all day long.

This week we were able to meet with a member of the branch, Sora Lydia. Oh, it is so funny here because almost everyone goes by Fratele or Sora and then their first name. I love it. But anyways, we met with Sora Lydia and she made us these amazing crepes with more of that perfectly divine Romanian chocolate cream and whipped cream. I love the members here more than I can describe! This branch is like one big family.

We also were able to teach Isabella the plan of Salvation. She loved it so so so much. Everything just seemed to make sense to her. Even things that are usually difficult here for people to understand. When we talk about the fall of Adam, people usually have a hard time understanding that the fall was necessary. But when we explained it to Isabella she just soaked it in and put it all together so well. When we began talking about eternal families, she couldn't stop crying. She has been through so much. Her family is the most important thing to her, and it shows. They live in  a tiny, tiny apartment with only one small room and a tiny kitchen on the side. They don't even have a bathroom in their apartment. But they are the happiest, most polite family. Her 5 children are always so happy and they are SO smart, and well behaved.

We also had our first experience at a Romanian Doctors office this week! Sora DeRuvo has had a little bit of a difficult time breathing. Nothing too too bad, but  she was sick a couple months ago, and her lungs haven't fully recovered. Sora Hill suggested we go to the clinic, so we did. It was nice, but kind of how I imagine a doctors office in the 70's to be. The Doctor was kind though, and gave her some herbal remedies to help her breath. She seems to be doing better too!
Now for my favorite story of the week! This was... Tuesday I think. Sora DeRuvo were on our way to teach our English class. The Tram was so full that day, and people were all squished together. This woman sat right next to me. She had the kindest, most tender face and smile. She looked right over at my face and smiled to me more than once. I wanted to talk to her so badly. I kept searching in my mind for something I could say to her. I wanted to say something... ANYTHING! But I couldn't formulate any kind of sentence that I would be able to say. So I was just going to hand her the Book of Mormon in my hand, but as I looked through it, our phone number, nor the church address had been stamped in it. So, regretfully, we just got off at our stop without saying a word. That night I felt so terrible. I kept wishing all day that I had talked to her. I felt that I should've, and didn't take the opportunity. That night I prayed and apologized to Heavenly Father and promised Him, that if he would bring us to her again I wouldn't let her get away with out talking to her. The next day, we were returning from teaching a lesson and were waiting for the tram to come.... and guess who we saw!! That same lady from the day before! Not only did she look at us too, but she waved to us. A big, happy, excited wave. She was waiting on the opposite side of the station. We ran over to her. A few seconds later the tram came, so we jumped on the tram with her, (going the opposite direction we intended) and immediately told her that we were missionaries and we wanted to talk with her and meet with her. She agreed and gave us all her information! Her name is Argentina, and she has 7 children. We are SO excited to meet with her. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father allows us second chances!

And Finally, I would like to mention that every other person here is named Mihai. I've never heard this name in my whole life until now, and everyone has it! There is one less active/ part member family we teach. The Dad's name is Mihai, the mom's name is Mihaiella, and their son's name is Mihai as well. I love it!

I love you all so much!  I hope everyone is so well! Thank you for your letters, love, and support!

xoxoxoxoxoxox

Sora Ralls

July 15th 2013

Buna Ziiiiiiua!

Remember last week when we had like, NO success with anything or anyone?  Would you believe me if I told you this week was nothing BUT success? It was amazing! Where to even start? Last week I wrote just a little bit about a woman who came to church on Sunday and wanted us to teach her family. We taught her family on Tuesday. They are the most adorable little Romanian family! They live in a small apartment with a room and a small kitchen.  There's the mother, Isabella, and she has 5 children ranging from 19 years to 3 years. Her husband left a long time ago. We taught them the first lesson, and they just loved it. They especially loved attending church. She said it's only place that's she's gone that she feels people are actually live what they preach. I have to say that the members here are the warmest, most welcoming people to investigators. They instantly just take them in and love them as if they've always been there.

We also went back and taught Claudia this week. We watched the Restoration movie with them and talked a little more about that because we realized there were a few gaps in her understanding of it.  She loved it.  It was such a powerful lesson, and at the end of the meeting we asked her son Alberto to pray. He used the "Our Father" memorized prayer first, but then we invited him to do it with his own words and he did.  It was such a perfect prayer! He Thanked the Lord for his home, for the missionaries, for his family and for his home. It was so tender it brought Claudia to tears. This week Claudia also called to tell us she'd started reading the Book of Mormon. Something we've been inviting her to do for Weeeeeeks. and She did!

Okay and here's another one! 3 weeks ago, we met a lady on the tram. She was only about 3 feet tall and was carrying some large heavy bags. We helped her on off the tram. I was holding a Book of Mormon at the time, and she asked us about it. We explained a little and then we offered the Book to her. She took it, but called us the next day to tell us she wouldn't be able to meet with us ever really. 

 But yesterday, about halfway through sacrament meeting, she walked in!!!  Sora DeRuvo just looked at me in absolute shock.  We had no clue she would come! She found the church address and time stamped in the Book of Mormon we gave her and came just out of curiosity. We met with her for a little time after Sacrament and she had so so so many questions. She's orthodox but has been attending other churches as well. Now she is willing to meet with us and take the lessons. She is amazing!
This week we also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the opening of The Romania/Moldova mission! We watched the fireside that took place in Bucharest via internet with some of the members here in the branch. I attached a picture:)

I love you all so much! Thank you for all your love and support!

July 8th, 2013

Buna Buna!!!

I cannot believe another week has gone by! Time is going by so quickly!  It's been another great week! It has absolutely been a little more rough than the first few, but still great. It's been increasingly difficult to meet with our investigators. We had only one lesson this week. We had more set up, but they weren't there when we came over. This seems to happen often here. The lesson we did have was really wonderful though. Her name is Cristina and she is in the branch here in Arad. Oh my goodness! Okay. On Sunday, A less active member came in and she brought with her an entire family. This family came and spoke to us after sacrament meeting and they want us to teach them!  Perfect? Yes. We're excited. Super excited!

We've been doing a lot of contacting this week and it's been... an adventure to say the least. haha:) I actually love it. You meet some people here in Romania you can only dream about in the states. The majority of the people here are so kind and are at least willing to listen for a minute.  And then there are the others who want to do nothing more than freak you out.   For example, we met a man on Thursday that listened to what we said for a minute, and then went on telling us how he was " not from this world" and that this world was finished. He yelled a looooot. Sora DeRuvo and I were so ready to get out of there almost the whole time! We said bye, and then started walking away really fast when he called out to us to come back. We turned around to see that Sora DeRuvo had left her purse on the bench is our rush to leave. hahaha. Oh my gosh, that was a good day.

Hey, I hope everyone had a good fourth of July! It was strange to not be in the States for that. For us it was pretty much just a normal day, with the exception that our Elders made us BBQ chicken and baked beans for dinner. SO GOOD. The best part though was trying to watch them ignite the grill with nothing but butane, coal and a lighter... Talk about fireworks..We ended up using the stove.

We are so looking forward to this next week. Sora DeRuvo and I have set some pretty intense ( but realistic of course!) contacting goals. We also get to start teaching that family we met at church. yay! Oh and this week we're going to start looking for a new apartment. Did I mention we're moving already? We are. The apartment we curently have is cute. But it's in a pretttttty sketch part of town. There have also been a few problems with mold. So we get to move. We're planning on moving closer to the center of the city.

Okay, I'm going to leave you with a quote I've had in my mind this eniiiiitire week with it being a little rough and all

it was from a BYU Idaho devotional we had a few years ago from... I think one the professors. He said

"Govern your mind unceasinlgly- Never become discouraged". Things get rough, things fall apart, Things don't work out.  But I'm learning more and more everyday that it's always up to us to keep our outlook and state of mind intact. No one can break that but us!  Do not become discouraged!

I love you all so much! I am so greatful everyday for such a wonderful and loving family. Thank you so much!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Sora Ralls

July 1st, 2013

Salut!

It's been another busy and beautiful week here in Arad. This week we've worked a lot with the branch, planning activities and firesides and things. I have to just say that I love the branch here so much. They are absolutely some of the strongest and most powerful people I've met in my life. Especially the Relief Society leaders here. I am always impressed by them. They do so much with so little. So little resources, and so little support.  I love them so much. One of the sisters here actually just got a mission call to Lyon, France. She is about 30 years old, and she is so excited to go. She asked to meet with Sora DeRuvo and me so we could help her prepare. We're excited to meet with her! We're trying to plan a time when we can take her with us to teach a lesson to one of our investigators.

This week we didn't have many opportunities to teach our investigators. They were all busy this week, or weren't home when we came over to teach them. daaaang. But hopefully this week we'll have a better chance of meeting with them.

We taught our English classes this week, and they went so well! We only have about 8 students so the class is pretty small. It is so much fun though.  It's funny because they try to talk to me in broken English, and I try to talk to them in broken Romanian. Luckily, and I have great companion to fill in gaps on both sides:)
We had an exchange with the coordinating sisters this week, and I exchanged with Sora Gerhartz. She's from New Jersey. We did Book of Mormon contacting. So we went to a park and talked with soooo many people. It was actually surprising how many people were willing to talk with us. We probably talked to over 50 people. Most conversations didn't last long, but we were able to talk with them a little bit about the Book of Mormon and just a bit about the restoration. We handed out a lot of pamphlets. At the end of the day we came back with 5 phone numbers. It doesn't sound like much, but for us that was SO COOL. It's not very easy to get numbers here, so we were more than pleased! 

On Friday, we had zone conference. It was so much fun! I loved it. President Hill announced that he put in a request to get 9 new SISTER companionships . That's 18 new sisters! There really are not many sisters here right now. There are like... I think 80 Elders and 20 something sisters. We're going to double!  How exciting.

On Saturday we had a Preach My Gospel fireside for the members. We talked about how members can use it to teach their family and friends about the gospel. They really seemed to enjoy it. branch activities here are so different than in Utah. If 10 people come to our firesides, or to a branch activity, we are thrilled. They are just like a family here. If someone is speaking at the meeting or activity, any of the members can interject at anytime and put in their 2 cents. I love it so much. It's so funny:) I love these people.

Oh my goodness, I love the food too. Okay, they have this place called Petru's. They sell chocolate covered pretzels for practically nothing. I don't know what I'll do with out them...

I really love being here so much. Every single day I love it more. Every missionary I've met here has been incredible. My district is hilarious, and my companion/trainer is one of the best people I've ever met! I literally see miracles everyday.

Thank you so much for every prayer, and all your support! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

xoxoxoxxoxoxox

Love,
Sora Ralls

June 24th 2013

Buna!!

I don't have long today, but I sent lots of pictures which say a lot:)

Things here are wonderful. In these last 2 weeks, we've gained 4 new investigators, which apparently pretty uncommon for the area. Lenka is our newest investigator, and she is amazing. She lives in this tiny tiny tiny little home right about under the freeway. It feels more like South America than Europe over in that area.  At our last visit we extended a soft baptisml inviation and she said she would like to be baptized! We'll keep teaching her for a little bit, but things are going great.

On Sunday, We took Sebi and his sister Alexandra to church with us. Sebi is 9, and was just baptized a few weeks ago. His sister Alexandra is 10, and is not too interested in being baptized right now. There mom is a member, but hasn't been active for years. We were planning on going with the whole family to church, but the kids were the only ones who could go. The Dad wasn't home and the Mom was sick. President Hill gave us the okay to take the kids so we did. After Sacrament meeting, Sebi went missing. All four of us missionaries looked everywhere. The church here is a big house with 4 floors. We looked on every one. We looked outside. He was no where. We were so panicked. Finally, we go back inside,  and upstairs again to find Sebi standing in a   pile of broken glass. He'd crawled in one of the cabinents in the church kitchen. It's funny now, but SO not funny then. We were just so glad to find him!

Last Tuesday we had Zone conference in Timisoara. Timi was absolutely beautiful! I attatched on of the pictures from there. Our Zone is really great. Sora DeRuvo and I presented on creating an effective language study plan.

Speaking of language, My language skills are getting better everyday! Every meeting we go to, I can understand dramatically more than the last one. Gift of Tongues, anyone? It's coming.

On Friday, there was a HUGE rain storm here. It rained so hard, and the thunder was so hard we kept waking up. It was actually... awesome.

Yesterday we taught a lovely lady named Tina. Tina is amazing.  She LOVES LOVES LOVES the church. She reads the BOM daily. She Reads all the Liahonna's we bring her, marks them up, and then tells us all the things she learned and what she's read. But she's not yet willing to be baptized.She said she is waiting for God to tell her to be baptized.  Yesterday our lesson with her was on faith. We can have all the faith in the world, but it is of no real benefit to us unless we take action with the faith we have.

I am so grateful  for these people and everything they're teaching me. Oh my gosh, they are all amazing.

I love you all so much!!!!!!!! You're in my prayers!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxooxoxoxoxxo

Sora Ralls