Romania

2-24-2014

Hey everyone!!!

Thank you all for all your emails!!! It’s great to get a lot of e-mails

and read about all the things that have been going on. Sorry if I have

not responded. I try my best to e-mail back.

So I wouldn’t say that this week was the best week but we still did

a lot. Mostly a lot of street contacting and talking to people about

English. Nobody went down to Bucharest for transfers because our whole district

stayed the same so we weren’t able to get our supplies and most

importantly our English cards. So we just had to work with what we

have and tomorrow we have Zone Training meeting in Bucharest so we

will get them then.

In the beginning of the week it was beautiful and sunny so we went to

the park and talked to so many people it was awesome. Time flies when

you’re going from one person to another. We actually ran into a pretty

big group of kids about our age and they were all speaking English. So

we had to say something because its not every day that we hear people

speaking english. Turns out they were from all around the world (If I

can remember: Uganda, Costa Rica, Brazil, China, and Ukraine) and they

were all here in Craiova teaching some class of kids on how to be

successful in life. It was so much fun talking to them and they were

all really nice. They brought up a lot of questions like what are we

doing and it was a really good way to share with them a little about

our church. It was interesting because the girl from Uganda was like

oh yeah the mormon missionaries, I love them and we are very familiar

with them. And then the girl from China was like Ihave never heard of

you guys before. haha Over all most people knew who we are which was

really nice to hear because nobody knows about Mormons here. ha

Towards the end of the week it rained a lot which wasn't as fun.

Nobody was out and very few let us talk to them.

We are still in need of some investigators and we are running out of

time!! It’s a little frustrating that we haven't been able to find any.

We have gone through the area book many times to call former

investigators but all the ones that we actually met with do not want

to progress and just like to have company. We have also called most

of the inactive members that are men (which there aren’t many) And they are

all a blacked out number! We are still trying and we are hoping for a

little miracle this week because we really need it. We only need a few

solid active members for this branch to stay open but at the pace that

it’s going right now it will close.

Let’s see, other than that not a whole bunch happened this week. Nobody

showed up to our Friday night activity so that was a bummer. We are

just trying to stay positive here in Craiova. I am still loving it so

much and I know it’s the work of the Lord. I love you all and thank you

so much for all of your support.

Elder Mayans

Mommy!!!!!

So first to answer a few things you mentioned in the last e-mail, First

off about Ukraine. Ya I have heard a lot about it actually it on all

the news here. I heard it’s getting worse and its pretty close to where

Ryan is. Hopefully they will figure things out because if it gets

worse they will probably take missionaries out of there.

Also Elder Bundage and I have started running 3 times a week and it

has been great. If you could though in your next package send me my

running shorts. If you haven’t moved everything around in my room yet,

they should still be on the bottom rack left side of my closet. They

are black and have a speedo lining inside it. They are really light so

it will be worth it to send. The shorts that I have right now stink.

Also, other package ideas, I need some more Cholula! haha And a workout

band because mine broke. Thanks mom.

I love the email from Chester! haha Tell him to not worry I’ll be there

soon!!! ha I love Chester!

The life of a Romanian Missionary

2-17-2014

Hello again familia mea frumoasa!!!!

I had such an amazing week this week and have lots to share. It sounds

like you guys had a pretty busy week as well with Maichael being home,

Bens Birthday, Valentines day,and all the things that have been going

on in the ward.

So to start off we had 2 lessons this week!!! I know right?! Way too

Much, we should try to slow down a little. haha No, but it was cool to

be able to meet up with a few people this week. Unfortunately that

wasn't the best part of the week because they aren’t super interested

and aren’t willing to keep any commitments. One man we met with was named Alexandru who works at the philharmonic and sits on a chair all day so

it’s pretty easy to meet up with him at his work. He has been taught a

decent amount in the past and has been up and down as far as

progressing. When we met with him we really wanted to hit on just the

importance of following Christ and why do we need to do all these

things. (like go to church, be baptized, follow the commandments) We

had a pretty good lesson with him  and he liked our message but at the

end I feel like he kinda shrugged it off. At times it was hard to keep

him focused. We are still going to keep in contact with him but I don’t

know if we are going to want to meet with him on a weekly basis

because it might be a waste of time. The other guy we met with was

Iulian. We did a 30/30 with him (half english/half Gospel) because he

is preparing to get a job in America. But we had a good talk with him

about the gospel. He is very orthodox but is really nice and is

willing to learn other things.

Also this week it as all nice and warm!!!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!! Well

sort of but now there are a lot of people on the streets and in the

parks with their family. It is great and we have visited the park a

few times because of it. So more towards the end of the week we had a

lot of things happen. On Saturday morning we found out about

transfer boards!!! and..... I’m staying in Craiova another transfer!!!

I am actually really excited about this. Most people have told me that

after 2 transfers here you go crazy but I will be going on my 4th and

I still love it. I love this small city and the tiny branch. I like it

more because it makes us be more involved with the branch and makes us

really have to run everything. It makes me feel like I am doing a lot

more and actually making a difference. I will also be staying with

Elder Brundage next transfer which I’m am really glad for. He is an

awesome missionary and we work really well together. So after that we

had our last English class which was so good and so many people

came!!! We had a full house and we just did a huge review because

there was a lot of new students and it was the last class. It was

really fun and there was a really cute little girl who was amazing at

English and knew everything. haha All the other older students felt

stupid because they are trying so hard and she just came in there and

destroyed everything. haha But is was a lot of fun. We also had a

Valentines Day party there at the church right after English class

ended. We invited them to stay if they wanted and a few of them did!

It was a really good activity and about 21 people were there!!!!! It

was crazy. I joked with the Spooners that we might have to find a

bigger church because there are so many people here. haha At the party

we had a spiritual thought on the love of God. We thought that was

appropriate for Valentines day. Then we played games, decorated

cookies, and ate food while we talked with everyone. It was super fun

and a good way to have relationships with some people. Oh another

thing about Valentines day was that so many people on the street were

asking us where our girls were and offered their daughters so us. haha

Crazy I know! ha It was hard to explain and they didn’t really get it

that we didn’t have permission to have girls. haha Valentines day here

isn’t even on the 14th here but they still celebrate it. There were a

ton of flower shops everywhere and a lot of parties. As a matter of

fact there was a huge concert here with all the biggest music artists

in Romania. I don’t know that much about it but I guess it was a big

deal.

Then on Sunday we had 3 visitor from America. One was on a business

trip here because America is building a military base just right

outside of Craiova so he’s working with that. And the other was a

missionary who served here about 3 years ago and came to visit with

his wife. It was fun to talk to them and see how things were in the

past. And it sounds like not much has changed. haha I also gave a talk

on Sunday on humility. I felt like I did a really good job and it was

a good Sunday over all. I’m loving everyday and just trying to make the

best of every minute. I love being a missionary and serving the

Lord.

Months are now starting to feel like weeks and it is going just way too

fast. I love you all and hope everything is going great. Remember not

to have too much fun without me. ;)

Love you guys..

Elder Mayans

Up-date from a Romanian missionary

2-2-2014

Eh, Oh family!!!! Still a huge drought? That sounds like it’s really

serious and that California needs water really bad. :\ it’s still the

exact opposite over here. We have gotten a total of about 15 inches

of snow it is ridiculous. To be honest I’m kinda sick of it and it just

makes everything harder. I have come to the conclusion that I will

never live in the snow when I’m older. Also the temperature has been

really low and on Thursday and Friday of this week we had to limit our

time outside because it was too dangerous. I’m staying warm but the wind

chill still cuts through your layers pretty easily.

This week we had a few things go on but for the most part we did a lot

of area book work because we couldn’t be outside.

So on Tuesday we actually went to a less active members house and

visited with her. Her name is Dana and she has a daughter who’s

probably around 9 years old. Her husband lives in Italy, isn’t a member

and doesn't treat her very good so her life is pretty hard right now.

She hasn’t been to church in a really long time but was willing to have

us visit her. Our visit with her was I think really friendly. We got

to know her a little more and then talked mostly about the importance

of going to church every Sunday and reading the scriptures. She gave

us a lot of excuses why she can’t go and she wasn't willing to change

but I think she was touched by our visit and she even teared up a

little bit. We also talked about reading the scriptures with her

daughter and the importance of having the spirit. At times it was hard

because she kept getting a lot of phone calls which was a distraction

but it went ok. We offered to help her with anything she needs. Also

on Tuesday we had English class which was great as always. The old

ladies are so nice to me it’s hilarious. We are still teaching beginners

so we are just doing a lot of repeating and pronunciation.

On Thursday we had district meeting which was great. It’s a lot easier

to conduct district meeting when everyone participates. We also

shoveled up a lot of snow because President and Sora Hill were planning

on coming to Craiova to do interviews with us. Unfortunately they

couldn’t come because it snowed too much and the roads were blocked. SO

we have interviews planned for this Saturday.

Friday we did a bunch of area book work which was really good to do

but a lot of time inside the apartment which made me go a little

crazy! haha We organized a lot of it and made a huge list of people we

should call. So this week we have a good amount of people to call and

try to set up appointments. It’s pretty much all we have right now

because there is nobody on the streets and it would just be a waste of

time. That night we had Friday night activity. Toni came again as well

as Dorina. We talked about families and then played some board games.

Saturday we had English again. Great lesson and we had an AMAZING

spiritual thought on the atonement. The spirit was there and the

students really liked it.

Sunday we had church which was great as always. It was fast Sunday so

we all had to bear our testimonies. We had a few people who said they

would come but nobody showed up.

That’s the majority of the week. Winter makes everything even slower

but missionary work doesn't stop. I am doing great and I love serving

here. It helps me rely on my testimony more and have more faith. I

love this church and I love all of you. Have a great week.

Elder Mayans