The blog is up-dated

4-28-2014

Hello family!!!!

Well it’s been another week already! This week was sooo busy and a lot

of things happened. Actually looking back this might have been the

most productive week!! We had a total of 5 lessons and met a lot of

new people.

So first off on Tuesday we had English class as always. Pretty

normal. Like I said before half of the class is really old and the

other half is really awesome young students. ha It’s funny to watch

them react together and try to learn English. Oh but I forgot, so

Monday morning we went to a less active members house and it was

awesome. His name is Francis and I actually visited him with Elder

Rassmussen my 2nd day in this country. Anyways, he is the coolest guy ever

and the best way to describe him is he is a MAN! haha He has the

craziest background and has turned his life all the way around. He used

to be in a gang and was in jail in Austria for a long time. He has

scars all over his body and is really scary but is one of the nicest

people I know. ha We gave him a visit and shared a little message. He’s

going through a rough time because his mom just passed away a few

weeks ago.

Then on Wednesday we went less active finding again. We are tryng to

visit as many as we can to see if they are still living in Bucuresti

and the reason for why they aren’t going to church. Most of the time,

nobody lives at the address we have but it’s fun because we get to ask

the neighbors which usually strikes up a conversation. That evening we

had a 30/30 lesson with Levent, this guy who knows all of the

missionaries, goes to every activity, and has been around for  about 4

years. The missionaries have met with him so many times that instead

of teaching him a lesson, we basically had a discussion on why he is

not getting baptized. We were really straight forward with him and it

went well so we hope that made him think more and realize the

importance of getting baptized.

Thursday we went on another exchange, this time in Pitesti. Just like

last exchange, it poured all day. I was with Elder Witiker who is in

his 3rd transfer. It was fun to be with someone really young in the

mission for a little bit and work with him. We mostly did some family

history contacting which works pretty well.

Friday we traveled back to Bucharesti in the morning and went straight to

District meeting. I was dead tired because the trains destroy me but

the meeting was great! Our district is getting better and better and

we are working very well as a group. That evening we had a first

lesson with a guy named Romus which went so well. He’s probably about

45 years old and is really interested. He took a Book of Mormon and

said he would read the whole thing and pray about it. We can’t meet

with him for a few weeks because he’s going out of town but we are

excited for him.

Saturday we had a lesson with a guy named Marius. Get this, we got

him as a referral straight from President Hill himself. haha He met him

at a Mongolian restaurant an got his number. ha so legit. And this guy

is amazing. He’s super smart, super nice and want to ask a lot of

questions. It was great and the lesson was perfect. After the lesson

we had English.  Elder Hokkanen and I did a watered down version of

the restoration for our spiritual thought. It went ok, we think it

might have been a little too much for a spiritual though but it wasn't

bad. People definitely had questions. haha We contacted the rest of

the day and then had to do some busy work for the zone.

Sunday was district conference!!!!That meant that all the members who

could came down. It was awesome and really cool so see so many members

together. I actually missed half of the meeting because I had to be

one of the guards at the church gate. There was some rumor going on

that a group was going to " crash the mormon party that they are going

to have on Sunday". Yeah nothing happened. I was ready though. There

was a kid on his bike who stopped and took a picture of the church.

Elder Mcallister and I we ready to fight. ha  The second half was good

and and an area seventy came and talked. It was overall a really good

conference.

That’s it for this week. Love you all and miss you tons. Don’t have to

much fun without me! ha Have a great week!

Elder Mayans

Mom- hey! I don’t know exactly when I’m calling but its not for another

few weeks. I know that I’m allowed to skype or call and it doesn’t have

to be exactly on mothers day. Could be any time around it. Love you!

Easter in Romania

4-21-2014

Hey Family!!! I wanted to send you a lot of pictures but now I don’t

have that much time to write. But the pictures say a lot and it was a

very, very fun, productive week.

So first off, Happy Easter!!!! Sounds like you all got together again

and had a lot of fun. It was quite fun over here too. President Hill

gave us permission for us to go to an orthodox Easter service. The

service started at midnight and it was really interesting! ha If I can

put it like that. The picture I sent you is Patriarch Dannel who is

one of the most important people in Eastern Orthodox. We thought it

was going to be a lot different but it was just a lot of talking and

praying and people crossing themselves. They also got a candle and

from this one candle people passed is around and by the end of the

night it was all over Bucuresti. It was awesome.

So this week was full with a lot of stuff. I think it’s better if I

just go day by day and it’s easier for me

So Tuesday we had to go to an apartment that is closing down in

Bucuresti so we had to go clean it which took a long time. After that

we had a lesson with Marian. It was our second lesson with him and

went really good. He wasn't really sure about the Book of Mormon last

time so we decided to really talk about that and explain more. He asks

a lot of questions and the lesson went really well. He accepted the

Book of Mormon and said he would read it. Hopefully he really does

read it and recognizes the spirit that comes from that book. Right

after the lesson we had our first English class of the transfer! It

went really weak. Elder Hokkanen and I are teaching medium level. We

expected more people to show up but that is the way it is. Our class is

pretty much half a bunch of old grandmas and half awesome young

students. We got a few potential investigators from a few of them so

hopefully they will agree to take some lessons.

Tuesday night we headed up back to Craiova to do an exchange with the

Elders over there. So on Wednesday we had the exchange. I was with

Elder Brundage and it poured rain all day. It sucked but we went into

a few blocks and contacted. We focused on Jesus Christ and the true

meaning of Easter. We also picked out a few scriptures to read from

the Book of Mormon when we contacted them at their doors. That was

pretty cool and it is something that I haven't tried before.

Thursday we were back in Bucuresti and had interviews with President

Hill and the Assistants. That went well and I feel like everything is

going really well this transfer. That night we had an Easter Activity

open for the public. We most just sang songs and showed video clips. A

good amount of people showed up and I thought it went well.

Friday we had District meeting which was amazing like always. It’s

always good to be in a good, close district. After that we went less

active contacting for a long time. We have about 600 less active

members here in Bucuresti. haha yeah it’s a lot so we are really trying

to see if we can find them and get them back to church. Most of the

time we don’t have all their information to find them so it’s an

adventure.

Saturday we had english class again. Not many people showed up because

of Easter so we just played Apples to Apples. Great game and they all

loved it. We did less active finding again on Saturday but didn’t find

anyone. That night we went to the Orthodox Slujba which was a lot of

fun.

Yesterday for Sunday we only had one hour of church. Then we went

contacting a bunch at 3 different parks but nobody was interested.

That’s mostly it. Today for p- day we played soccer and I am so tired

right now so sorry if this email isn't the best. Love you all and the

Church is true!!! Don’t be afraid to write me. I can never get too many.

Have a great week!!!!

Elder Mayans

Elder Mayans blog

4-14-2014

 Hello everyone!!! It has been the longest week of my life. It

has gone by really slowly but I can’t complain because we got a lot of

things done. So to start off..........

Tuesday we had Zone Training meeting which was pretty good. We had the

entire zone come down and we talked about all the goals and activities

we are going to be doing this transfer. Elder Hokkanen is great but I

have noticed he likes to lead and do everything himself. It’s a little

hard to deal with but I’m still doing a lot and we had a great meeting.

On Wednesday I went on an exchange with one of the AP's, Elder

Rodenberg. It was a really fun exchange and we got to talk and try out a

lot of different things. We went to Hedestrou Park which is so

beautiful and contacted for a bit. Then we had to drive a pair of

Sisters to a lesson outside of Bucuresti and sat in on that. They were

really poor a begged a lot but the sisters taught a really good lesson

and I think it helped them a lot.

Thursday is was pouring rain all day so it was really hard to contact.

We got together as a district and played a little game of Block Knock

English contacting. It wasn't really a game, it was more who contacted

more people wins. And we lost because nobody opened up their door.

haha That night we went over to a members house. Elder Hokkanen

teaches her the piano while I sit there and talk to the husband. It

sounds a little weird but the husband isn't a member but is so cool.

We just talk about life for a long time and the church is always

brought up. I heard he really likes me which makes me happy. The

member is actually Philippine and he is Romanian. We mostly talk about

family and I guess just life in general. We went by there twice this

week which was really good.

On Friday we had District Meeting which was great as always. Elder

McAllister is a really funny guy and come up with a lot of great ideas

for our district. Our district made a lot of really big goals and it’s

going to take a lot to accomplish them. Then we walked around downtown

Bucuresti and put up posters everywhere for English. We had some girl

from Moldova follow us around for about 3 hours. She was nice and

loved to talk but it was a long time. ha

On Saturday I went on another Exchange with Elder Mcallister. We had

so much fun together and really worked hard. We get along really well

so it’s easy to do missionary work with him. We went to the park again

and just talked to a lot of people. Nothing crazy happened but people

were interested and said they would come to English class.

Yesterday was Sunday and it was soooo AMAZING!! It was the first time

meeting the branch because last week was conference. It is really

different to see a lot of members and a branch that functions on its

own. The members are great and really faithful. It was fast and

testimony meeting which was super good. I was going to get up because

it was my first Sunday but we ran out of time. I got to get use to

having 3 hours of church again. haha

SO that's my week, we are actually meeting with a guy today so we will

see how that goes. I am so busy and always exhausted but its so worth

it and a lot of fun. My sleeping time is so precious to me. I never

knew how important is was until I wasn't able to do it all the time.

ha Well I love you all. Thanks for all the love. The Church is so true

and I have a strong testimony that if you really live the gospel of

Jesus Christ, your life will be filled with joy and His love. Easter

is this week and it is a great time to really think about the Savior.

Elder Mayans

Bucharest

4-7-2014

Familia Mea!!!

It has been one off those..... crazy weeks again and I don’t know where

to start. haha I feel like my whole mission has kinda changed in the

past week and its has been awesome but a little overwhelming.

First off, I am now in the big city of Bucuresti. Its so weird to

actually live here and there are so many people. Unlike Galati and

Craiova, we actually have to use public transportation because

everything is too far. We are now taking buses and metros everywhere

which is fun. It gets really interesting when 100 people are at the

bus stop and everyone fights and pushes to get on. ha So many

different smells are on those buses I don’t want to go there. ha Our

apartment is horrible. ha not going to lie, it’s really small but I will

live. It does have a great location right next to the church which is

super convenient. Right next to the chapel which is weird to say but we

have an actual church buildings here. Its been really nice though. I am

still really lost around the city but luckily I have Elder Hokkanen

who knows where to go. For now I’m trying to memorize all the bus

numbers and routes. Elder Hokkanen is a really good guy and a hard

worker. He is Finnish which is awesome and we have a lot of

interesting conversation. I think we will get a lot done this

transfer. We have already had 2 lessons this week which is a lot more

than I usually have. haha We had a first lesson with a guy today which

was awesome. He really liked our message and wants to learn more.

Always a good sign. :)

So For this week, After traveling to Bucuresti on transfer day, I

pretty much just had to do a bunch of busy work and unpack which took a

long time.

Thursday we had a long leadership meeting at President Hills house for

about 7 hours. It was really good but I was mentally exhausted

afterwards. It was a meeting with all the Zone Leaders and Sister

Training Leadership and we just talked about all the things that are

going to be happening this transfer.

On Friday we went to out first district meeting with my new district.

We have 8 missionaries in our district which is double from what I had

in the past. 4 elders and 4 sisters. We have really good group and are

planning a lot of really good goals to achieve as a district. Also, we

have a zone training meeting this Tuesday which we are in charge of

for the whole zone so we have been planning a lot for that. The main

focus this transfer for the mission is The Book of Mormon, building

unity with your companion and members, and family history contacting.

On Saturday, we had really bad weather so it was hard to go contacting

but we English contacted as much as we could. Just like before we are

trying to get as many people to those english classes as we can. The

mission gets so much success form the classes that it’s really

important to take the time and advertise them. Saturday night we were

able to go to the chapel and watch a session of conference.

Yesterday, on Sunday, we were able to go to the church and watch all

the conference sessions all day. I saw most of it in Romanian but they

were so good. Those men have such a strong spirit with them and they

speak with power. I learned a lot and it was really nice to get to watch

it. I wasn’t able to watch last conference.

So yeah that’s the majority of my week. We had a lesson with the guy I

mentioned earlier today on the restoration. It went really well. Well, I

love you all and I hope everyone is doing well and had a great week.

much love- Elder Mayans

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