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!