Hello Family, friends and fans!!!!!!

HELLO FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FANS!!!!!!!

Im am really excited to tell you about my week this week because it
was one of the best and i have so much to write about. So lets get to
it.

As you know from my last weeks email, it was the last week of the
transfer so transfer board came out and we know all the information
for the next transfer. Iv been in Craiova for about 6 months so more
that likely I would be transfered. And i did!!! Drum
Roll....................Ill be going to Bucuresti, the capital of
Romania!!! And I am so excited! So a little information about the
mission in Bucuresti. There are 2 parts: The Mehai Bravo side and the
Panduri side. I will be serving on the Panduri side with Elder
Hokkanen. Elder Hokkanen is from Finland and is a really hard worker
so it should be great. Also we are the zone leaders for the Bucuresti
West section. Yeah Zone leader! It caught me by surprise too but im
really excited and it will be a big growing experience for me. Also
the zone has 4 cities so I will be traveling even more and going on
exchanges with all of them. It will definetly be different then how
its been in Galati and Craiova because there are decent size branches
in Bucuresti. I sure we will have a lot more activities and we will be
able to work with the members more. transfers are on Wednesday so i
will be moving them.

In the mean time in Craiova i have been saying good by to everyone i
know. I actually know a lot of people around the city and they are all
amazing people so it was hard to say good bye. Also we had our last
english class and they were all sad that i was leaving. haha there so
nice. They also made sure to tell me all the things I need to see and
visit. haha Im sure I will get to see it all but they still dont
really get it that we cant just do whatever we want. they have been
really good and een though they arnt very interested in the Gospel
they love us and they love to Spiritual thughts, and the English of
course. Ha English classes in Craiova are the best and in going to
miss that.

So now this week we had a little trip a little out of the ordinary.
There was a previous investigator that use to live in Bucuresti but
moved back in with his parents in a village in the middle of nowhere.
This man had been keeping in touch with a elder that has been home
since 2006. so yeah a really long time ago. Anyways he contacted the
missionaries saying that he really wants a visit and has been
struggling with a lot of things. So since Elder Brundage and I havent
had a busy schedule as far as investigators go, we asked President
hill if we could make the trip to visit this man. He let us do it. So
he lived in a village called Trocani about 30 minutes outside of a
city called Turgu Jiu. (dad you should google search it it is soo
awesome) It total its about 4 hours of travel time. We were thinking
twice about making the trip because we wernt sure if he actually
wanted help or if he wanted money. we decided to go and IT WAS
AMAZING!! After going down a dirt road in the middle of Romania we got
to his house which was basically a little shack and a kitchen which
was outside. Then Pigs and Cows surrounded the place. We had an
incredible lesson in his little house and it was definitely lead by
the spirit. We didnt know exactly what we were going to teach because
we didnt know his situation but it just went so smoothly. He is having
a really hard time not receiving answers to his prayers and he is
really depressed. We talked to hi mostly on the Atonement of Jesus
Christ and love. We also gave him a blessing of comfort. He was great
and we met his parents which were the most village (la Tara) people i
haev ever met. Im pretty sure the mom had a full beard and the Dad had
2 teeth. He grunted a lot and I didnt understand one work he said. We
were really happy that we made the trip out there and it was one of
the best experiences i have had on my mission so far. He called the
next day to thank is again. He was very grateful. The hard thing is
that he lives so far away that the missionaries cant visit him very
often or never. we are going to keep in touch with him by phone.

On Sunday we had church. It was very small because the Spooners are
out of town but like always it was great. I gave another talk to say
good by and thank everyone. I talk mostly about the importance of
scriptures and how we can use them the right way. I was a little sick
and it wasnt amazing but it was ok.

Well thats about it for this week. I will be even more busy this next
transfer so it will be fun an interesting. I am really excited to go
there and its great to be in the Big city for the summer. There are so
many people walking the streets a lot of things to go. Love you all!!
have a great week!

Elder mayans

P.S. Dad i finished that book that you sent. It was great and a good read.

Elder Mayans this week in Romania

3-21-2014

Hello family and friends!!!

Well, it’s Monday again and it’s the last week of this transfer. It’s

going by way too fast like always. So this week was a very busy week

filled with a few new things and some of the same stuff like English.

English is going good still. We have a smaller class of about 10

people this transfer but they are great and love to learn English and

listen to our spiritual thoughts. Actually just this past Saturday we

had an activity right after English class so that if they wanted to

they could stay. We played minute to win it games and it was soo much

fun and really funny. I have the most amazing videos of Romanians

trying to eat an oreo cookie off of their foreheads. haha It was nice

to have more people at our activities.

Also this week on Thursday we went down to Bucuresti for Zone

Conference!!! It was sooo good. We got there on Thursday night and at

the train Station in Bucuresti I ran into Connor Cunningham! He was my

companion my 2nd transfer and went home about 3 months ago. He didn’t

tell anyone that he was going to visit so it was a big surprise for me

to just run into him. It was really good to see him and we got to

catch up far a little bit. That night I had one of the worst nights of

my life because my air mattress popped in the middle of the night.

haha But on Friday we had Zone conference which was really good. We

are going to be trying a new form of contacting in the mission

directed at families and Genealogy. It’s different but President Hill has a

lot of really good ideas and we are excited to try it out. It’s a little

hard to do that in Craiova though because there are only 2 active

members and there is no computer for family search.

Yesterday was a really good Sunday. We had a really good sacrament

meeting and the spirit was very strong. The Spooners are back in town

with their daughter and nephew so the congregation was packed! Ha. Also,

the Sisters had one of their investigators come to church which was

good to see. He said he would come to our church if we went to his. So

we did and last night we went to the Pentecostal church. It was a

really good experience so go. Things are a little different and it was

interesting but it was good. It was nice to see people who were

actually religious and showed faith in their church instead of

everyone just saying that they are orthodox but never going to church.

I love being a missionary and I’m a happy man! Romania is treating me

very well and I’m staying busy which is good. This week I will be

taking an adventure as I go out to a village about 2 hours outside of

Craiova. There is a guy who has met with the missionaries a long time

ago and wants to meet with us. This is also the last week of the

transfer so I will know about everything that is happening next week

and I’ll keep you updated! Love you all and thanks for all the e-mails!!

Elder Mayans

Elder Mayans this week

3-17-2014

Like always, I had a great week this week but I don’t have that much too

say. ha Some weeks I have a lot of things on my mind to say but this

week not so much.

So just a little review. We have been going to the Parcul Mare which

is directly translated (the Big park) haha and contacting a lot of

people. We were able to go as a district to the park and go chalk

contacting. We drew the Plan of Salvation on the ground and talked to

a lot of people about it. It was a success and I got to talk to a lot

of people about it. It’s a good way to contact and the Plan of

Salvation has such a strong message of hope and happiness.

Our English classes were actually not at amazing this week which was

really weird. It was good on Tuesday but Saturday not very many people

came and nobody participated. Lame. That’s just life. Our spiritual

thought was also on the Plan of Salvation. It was good. I read the

song " I am a child of God" to them and they were like no sing it.

haha I was like no trust me you don't want to hear me sing. ha They

always like the spiritual thoughts and agree with the things we talk

about

Also on Friday night we had an activity at the church. Usually we have

about one person show up to the weekly activity so it’s kinda hard to

have an activity but this week we had about 6 people show up. Nothing

crazy but it’s better. ha We had Marian, a guy from English class show

up too. He’s a really nice guy and we have been wanting to meet up with

him. We asked if we could and he’s not really giving us a straight

answer. He still shows some interest so we are keeping in contact with

him.

On Saturday we got permission to go to a classical music concert with

Alexandru, A former investigator that works there. It wasn't really a

classical music concert, more like just a cello player and some people

reciting poems but it was fun. It was in the evening and it was a long

day so I almost fell asleep during the concert. haha

Coming up this week we have zone conference on Friday in Bucuresti. I’m

excited and it will be one of the last times that I see President

Hill. He is leaving in about 2 transfers. Well I love you all and you’re

in my prayers. The Church is true and I love being a missionary. Stay

safe and have a great weeElder Mayans

I forgot my camera but I will send pictures next week. Sorry I haven't

been taking that much lately.

Romania!

2-3-2014

Hello everyone!!!

I’m sorry I actually don’t have a ton of time today so my e-mail might

be a little short but I had another great week. I mean how could I not

I’m serving a mission in Romania. Ha. So earilier this week we went down

to Bucuresti for a Zone Training meeting. Elder Brundage and I didn’t

have to give a presentation this time so we just sat there, but it was

still a really good meeting. There is a ridiculous amount of sisters

in this mission now. Nine sisters came in last transfer and I

think we have sisters in every city now which is crazy. Let’s just say

it makes it interesting. During the meeting we talked a lot about the

best ways to approach doing missionary work and also how to be more

organized. Also, we had a really funny good experience at the train

station when we were going to Bucuresti. Elder Brundage and I love to

play the game "Table" which is like backgammon and it’s very popular here.

There are always really old guys playing it on the streets. So we

heard some people playing upstairs so we went up there to watch and

ask where they bought their board because everyone has one but they

don’t sell them! haha Anyways, long story short they were very surprised

that we were Americans who liked to play table. They talked to us for

about a half hour about religion and stuff. It was awesome and really

cool that I was playing Table with an old man at a train station.

The rest of the week we did a lot of English and Book of Mormon

contacting. We ran into a few people that we have seen in the past and

had good conversations with them. It has been raining on and off so

sometimes there aren’t as many people on the street. Also on Saturday we

went Hospital contacting again which was great like always. I can’t

sing but I’m grateful that my district can because then you can’t hear

my voice. haha We had the opportunity to share with a few people about

what we do and why we are here. It felt good to make people in the

hospital happy.

Sunday, we had a good fast and testimony meeting. The only people that

showed up were the 4 missionaries, President Spooner, and one member.

We are small but strong. We sang I Know That My Redeemer Lives in

Sacrament meeting and for some reason it hit me really hard and the

Spirit was really strong. Seeing only a few members of the church show

up every week is really hard but their faith is so strong. I always

say to the members, " suntem putin dar puternici" which means we are

small but strong. ha I love the gospel so much and missionary work is

the most amazing thing in the world. I love you all and miss you tons.

Have a great week and we will talk next week. The ZL's are coming here

for exchanges on Thursday so I will let you know how it goes. Love you

all and thank you for the letters!

Elder Mayans

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