Week 89

Dear Family,

We had a great activity on Saturday for Pioneer Day. We worked really hard and planned for a long time to get together a really cool activity that would be great for all ages. We made chili, corn bread, honey butter and peach cobbler. I made sure to not make the chili spicy, and yet all the Romanians seemed to think that it was too hot. They finally came to the conclusion that the spiciness was good for your stomach lol! 

We didnt have enough room in the main eating area, so Elder M and myself ate in the kitchen. The sisters were in the main area and everyone asked what the honey butter was. When they told the members, people started to take globs and put them in the chili! LOL I was laughing so hard. One poor sister even put her cobbler in the chili thinking that it supposed to go there...oh my, I laughed a lot. 

After food we had some activities. We made candles, line danced, tug-o-war and stick pull. I was destroyed during the stick pull, and the members weren't too big on the line dancing, but the candle making went really well. After those activities, some of the members left. I was kinda sad, cause we watched 17 Miracles afterwards. It was great for the members to see some of the trials that the pioneers went through. As we were cleaning up, Elder M was asked to explain why we celebrate the pioneers to one of the member's friends and he had an hour conversation with her. She was invited to church, but unfortunately didn't come. Oh well. Our member friend told us that her friend really liked the conversation. Its always a good thing when people don't think youre crazy after you talk with them!

I received my "death" call this last week. I told them that I will be flying to SLC. It is so crazy to think that its almost here. I can hardly believe it. I promised President Ivory that I was going to work my last three months like I did my first three. It will be exciting to see what he has planned for the next three months. I really like President Ivory. He is a very business-like man, but he shows his love through his actions. He has a lot of trust in us, and I feel like that puts us to work harder, knowing that we have that trust. We can do so much more pros activities and that has been a lot of fun. Elder Morby and I go play basketball sometimes. We have been able to help the image of future missionaries (as well as our own) by letting people know that 1) We are not Jehovah's Witnesses. 2) We are normal people and can wear/do normal things.

I love you all so much!

Elder Ormsby

Week 75

Dear Family,

We celebrate Easter is because it is a day of miracles. It is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the day that we recognize Him breaking the bonds of death, making it possible to live again. 

Yesterday was a day of many more miracles. First, it has been raining for the past five or so days. It has been gloomy, dreary, insert sad word here. Rain always makes it difficult to do missionary work, but yesterday changed. Yesterday we had sunshine. Breaking through the clouds, the sun finally beat back the gray storm clouds. You can literally feel the difference that it makes for people, having sunshine. Coming to church was amazing. You have no idea how hard it is to go into church, almost cringing from what may or may not come. This Sunday, there was no feeling of dread, only peace. It was something that I prayed for a lot. Love everyone and everything (even the hardest things). With the sun shining, I opened the podium to those who wanted to bear testimony of the truthfulness of the resurrection and how it has made a difference for them. Members bore beautiful testimonies, and even those who didnt could feel the love of our Savior.  

Second, yesterday was a day of miracles. Before the meeting, I asked a missionary to  and to greet everyone with love. As soon as he did that, some members did something they had not done in a long time: they stayed after church and talked with us. I love them so much, and I was so grateful that a change had happened. We were going to have a roast dinner, but instead they invited us over to their house and we ate amazing food while enjoying great company. Yesterday was truly a day of miracles.

We havent been able to get out a ton this last week (but more than we were the week before!). Between learning to be a Branch President, dealing with members and all the other stuff, it has been a bit difficult to get out and about. This week we are hoping to bust out some good old pros time, but when members call...they call.

I am so excited to see you all on Mothers Day! It is only a few weeks away, and it will be my last one of my mission. How crazy is that!

Love you all and see you soon,

Elder Ormsby

Week 73

Dear Family,

 

Well, Missionary Super Bowl weekend has come and gone, and like always I loved it! Conference is always such a great spiritual lifter as a missionary, and for everyone else who takes the time to watch and listen to the words of modern day prophets. I especially liked Elder Zwick and his talk on communication. I have learned so much about communication and the importance of being open and honest. When you have a companion or a member or a investigator that has a problem, the worst thing is to leave it alone and let it fester. Good communication can change a relationship for the better, as long as it is delivered correctly.

 

I cant believe that I was back in Timisoara for only 6 weeks! It was the best transfer of my entire mission. Going back to Elder Zwick, I believe that it was in part because of our communication. We understood each other and loved each other. We had respect for not only the calling, but also for the person (which I think is as important if not more). I made a lot of really good friends, especially my accident prone friend, her 2 hooligan comrades and my friend from Brooklyn! They will understand what all that means when they read it haha. I also got to meet up with a few of my old friends from my first transfers in Timisoara. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to meet up with the people that you were referring to. After seeing so many people leave, they finally had enough and no longer want to talk. That was really hard to deal with, seeing how we were such good friends the last time I was there. That's how life goes sometimes.

 

I came back to Bacau to be the Branch President. President wanted to test a few of the missionaries and then decided that I would be the best option for Bacau. I am really glad for the opportunity because there are so many different things that I want to do to help the members. I know that this calling is going to be the hardest part of my mission, it already has been pretty difficult, but as it says in 2 Nephi 32 "...thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul." Its talking about using prayer in your everyday activities. If you do, no matter what happens (as long as you are being good) it will be for you benefit. Its a pretty cool promise, and trust me, there have been lots of prayers over the last year and 6 months. I will only have 6 weeks left of my mission when I get out of Bacau, so I have a bit of time to try and accomplish all that I want to do.

 

I cant wait to go to the temple again!!!!!

 

Love you all and talk to you next week!

 

Elder Ormsby

 

P.S. Sorry, no pictures, maybe next week.

P.S. I am back in Bacau with Elder L again.

 

Week 71

Dear Family!

We have had so much happen this last week! I was really excited to go on an exchange with Elder Montoya and get some work done, kinda "rekindle" the fire. You know, go out and just work as hard as we could. Someone else had some other plans in mind, however. We received a call from Sora M's daughter to meet up at the church with Pres. H. We thought it had something to do with financial support. When we arrived, we found out that Sora M had passed away and that her funeral would be tomorrow. Pres. H had to drive to Hungary to pick up his wife and that meant Elder M and I were in charge. Working out all the details, calling members and then preparing for the actual funeral was a very interesting experience. I believe the most stressing part of the whole process was finding out if Sora M had all the required clothes for her burial. We ended up not being able to work that out, but I believe that the Lord understands we tried our hardest.

The next day being her funeral, we finished preparations, translations and what not, and went over to the funeral. It was received quite well by her friends and family (there were so many!) and the Spirit was with us the whole way. Many people thanked us for the service and we were able to show them a part of what we believed of the Plan of Salvation. We might even be doing the No Smoking Program with one of her relatives. 

The day before the funeral, when we were at the cemetery, we saw an orthodox funeral for a young woman. It was one of the saddest things I have ever seen. They had next to no hope of seeing her again. Sora M's funeral was sad, yes, but it was also really happy. Sora L said something that shows the hope that we as members of the church have for those who have left us. "Think about how beautiful she is right now. No more pain. No more hospitals." C, her grandson, said something that stuck out to me as well. When asked how he was doing he simply replied "Grandma is with God in heaven." As if he were saying she is home, or at the store. He knows whats up. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation and all that it teaches us.  What a difference it makes in our life, having that kind of knowledge.

I am doing really well. Nothing major to complain about, and a lot to be thankful for. We went over to one of the sisters' investigators' home and had a lesson with the sisters and Elder H. It was such a great lesson and they are such a great family. We shared the Plan of Salvation and I talked about my excitement to see The Love Magnet in heaven, as an exalted and perfected person. Romanians always do the same thing when I tell them TLM has Down syndrome, but by the end of my story, they see disabilities in a different light. This family loves the way we think. It was a long lesson, but I haven't had a better one in my entire mission.

Good job Secondborn on achieving his Eagle award. He will be so grateful that he was able to do that. Now, if he could only write his only big brother who is almost exactly on the opposite side of the world lol.

It is so crazy to think that before the end of this next transfer, we will be skyping again and it will be my last one. Life moves so fast!

Elder Ormsby

Sora M one year ago.  She was a wonderful person.

Helping out in Primary.

Investigator and good friend.

Romanian babies are the cutest!

Drawing "Whalvis".

Elder H tasting some of the pickle brine.

My old stomping grounds and apartment.

Leave your camera around, and you are sure to find a lot of these the next time you check your pictures lol (she is going to kill me, but put it up).  ;)

I'm a good student. 

Our district.

Creepy painting in the hotel room .

Elder M's new companion.

We carried this 100 kg behemoth

up these stairs

 for service.

Week 70

Dear Family,

Rabdare Mama, rabdare...

Lol, we just got back from our zone conference in Arad. We were going to write tomorrow, but we have English and FHE, so we decided to take a bit of time to email our stuff now. Lucky you! I have received the bank card and will send it out as soon as I can. I will read over it and see if there are any special instructions that I missed magically. Send me an email if you know something that I need to know. 

I have learned so much on my mission. One of my favorite things comes from my Grandma and has been my internal motto this transfer. "Lighten up” in spirit and attitude and enjoy everyone around you and everything you are doing.  Appreciate the beauty of the snowflake and how if it wasn’t so cold you wouldn’t ever see such a beautiful creation...Don’t look back at what you wish you might have done but push forward solidifying relationships and testimonies remembering in whose name you are working." 

This transfer has been the best transfer of my entire mission. NOT because everything is perfect and we have baptisms and all that jazz. Oh no, we have 0 investigators and have had quite a few people fall out of contact with us (including another member). Its my favorite because of my district and the fact that I have been enjoying "everyone" and "everything". I laugh about the drunken guy, I smile about the mistake in Romanian, I almost cry from laughing so hard about all the funny little things that happen each and every day. 

Life is pretty good. For example (and this one might make you cringe a little bit Mom), today for Zone Conference I was asked to sing in a quartet. We were supposed to sing "Mila sus de straluceste" or "Brightly Beams, Our Fathers Mercy"...something like that. Anyways, its the same song that I sang in Timi last year, only I was singing bass. This time I sang the melody...the "easiest" part. It was so funny. First, I kept going to the bass line, but remembering that I needed to be higher than the bass, I sang an octave higher, then the alto part sounded nice, so I sang along with him. Finally, I would remember my part and get that out of my system before the end of the verse. Then the show started all over again. To make it even better, my body decides that it is going into shock and starts to shake...hard! I was trying so hard not to laugh because all I could think about was how ridiculous I looked. Then I squeaked one of the notes. Better and better! I am smiling right now, as I am writing this letter, it was so funny. I never would have been able to laugh, about a situation like that, before my mission. I loved every second of it! My favorite part was looking up with smile, ready to see some of the agony on the other missionaries faces. One of the sisters had her head down with her hand up, as if she couldn't look at us after the song. Like a "oh those guys, I don't know them" LOL!!! Best zone conference ever haha. The other thing that I was thinkin' was about how you never wanted us to watch the bad performances on American Idol (Trademark symbol (just in case)).

I have just finished the OLD TESTAMENT. Wow, that was one behemoth that I could use a translator for. It was rough going, but compared to the Old Testament, the New Testament is like a bag of cookies. I love reading the different accounts of the life of Jesus. How some apostles put emphasis, where others neglected to mention it. Pretty cool stuff. I also listened to a really good talk from Elder Bednar.  It was a great talk about how we pray for our trials to be changed. But it is more often that we receive the strength to overcome our trials, rather to have them taken from us. The Enabling Power of the Atonement

Ya, so life is good. Missionary work isn't really going to fast, but its going and I can see some hope, so why shouldn't life be good?

Love

Elder Michael Ormsby

Week 69

Dear Family,
I am so sorry, I have no idea how, but I totally forgot to write you. Yesterday we were paintballing in Arad and didn't get back until a little later. I read your email, but I thought that I had written something back....my bad lol. Everything is good right now. I haven't had such a fun district in a really long time, and I have never had a district that all get along basically 100% of the time. It has seriously been a blessing for me to be in this district, back in my old stomping grounds. God knew that He would have to do something special when He took me out of Bacau.

I have kept in touch with my other family, they are so funny. One of the new sisters there was asked by an elder what kind of cake she was eating. "Lemon" "No, in Romanian" (he had just taught her not to say it the wrong way). Here is where the story splits. The Bs say that she said it with an "u" sound...lol....the sisters there say that before she had a chance to finish the word, the Bs said the "u". Honestly, they are both probable, almost even. Those 3 are so funny! (Side note, saying some words in Romanian only a little off can make a huge difference(. I miss them a lot, but I have been having a lot of fun with my district. No one thinks themselves higher than anyone else. No one thinks they are below anyone else, and I have been 100% myself!!! No need to wonder if I have offended someone, no need to worry that someone is going to think that I am weird (who cares) and yup, its been great! 

Today we went paintballing in Arad, it was super weird to be with a lot of the same people (P, H, R) doing the same thing we were doing a little over a year ago. I feel like time has been moving forward so fast, and yet so slow. I haven't been angry ONCE this transfer!!! Annoyed, not so much (today was one of those days when I was losing lol), but not angry. You have no idea, it has been such a long time. 

So cool story, they said that they were never coming back. Guess who came on Sunday AND taught Sunday School? Yup, those guys! It was good to see them.

Talk to you next week!

Elder Ormsby

Week 68

Dear Family,

Well, it has been great to be back in Timisoara. I have the best district so far in my mission. Elder S is exactly like Elder B (and I LOVE Elder B). We have two really cool sisters and the other elders are legit. I haven't been able to visit any of the old investigators, that is going to be this week. A lot of the members were surprised to see me again and commented on how I had returned!

We have been hearing bits and pieces about Ukraine. It was something to worry about in Bacau, seeing how we were right there, but now its not so bad here. People know, but not really worrying. We hear enough to worry a bit, but it doesn't stop us!

Unfortunately the missionaries still need to take a course on record keeping. I once found a record that said "well a lot has happened in the last six months, so I will summarize..." Good luck on that one elder haha. We try to be better, but no one is perfect.

Sorry this email will be real short, the keyboard doesn't like me, but I will attach a few pics...just for you!

Love you all,

Elder Ormsby

ps Sora S thinks its very sweet/funny that you commented on her blog.

Week 67

Dear Family, friends and blog stalkers,

I have to laugh every time some new missionary comes in and says "ya, I stalked your blog." Haha, its all good. I'm glad that someone reads it!

So this last week has been a really strange one. I would be lying if I said I wasn't angry when I left Bacau. I would be lying if I said I wasn't incredibly depressed, but I would also be lying if I didn't say that it all went away the minute I entered Timisoara. It was as if the Lord said "Ok, you've had your time to grieve. Now, I need you, go to work." Walking out of the gara, I felt what every kid feels on Christmas morning. Excitement and anticipation. I am here in Timisoara and ready to make the best of it. I am ready to see all my old investigators, to see if they are finally ready. I am ready to see the members (including one that we all thought would have passed away almost a year ago).

We have got a really good district here in Timisoara. Besides having the Hs back :) we have Elders M1, M2, S (you were so close on the spelling) and then Soras S and L. We have had a great time already and I know that we are going to get along really well this next transfer. 

We don't have dental appts, unless we have an emergency (I can tell you that the dentist isn't going to like that when I get back). Add to the fact that my eye sight has gotten worse in a year and a half makes me really excited to go see the doctors when I get back...

Tell Secondborn and Thirdborn to send me some pictures and to write me once in a while! Don't worry about making me homesick, it would take a lot more than that, trust me. 

Please pray for a friend of mine. Her mom just passed away and I know that it is really hard for her. I'm not going to include a name, cause I don't think she would like her name out and about. Just keep in mind Elder Ormsby's friend. 

Love you all and Ill talk to you soon,

Elder Ormsby

Thanks to the Senior Missionaries for the pics:

Happy to be back on the streets of Timisoara.

 With new companion, Elder S!

 And the beloved Maxi Taxi rides to Oredea for district conference.

Week 65

Dear Family,

Sorry you didn't get an email yesterday. President came for interviews and we had a wild day. Elder L and I were going to wake up at 3 am to start lunch for President (roast pork, mashed potatoes...you know, the works). I know its early, but I love seeing people eat something that I made, that I know tastes good. Any ways, I wake up and shower and what not, only to have a big feeling. Don't go to the church right now. I couldn't tell if it was the Holy Ghost or me wanting my bed. I decided that testing that feeling wasn't something I wanted to do, so I promptly went back to bed and woke up at a more decent hour. 4:45 lol. We were out the door around 5:30 and started the food closer to 6. After we prepared the food and stuffed it in the oven, we took a little nap in the church and then listened to some really great talks. "The First Great Commandment" by Elder Holland, "We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down" by President Uchtdorf, and "Where is the Pavilion" by President Eyring. We also watched the new Mormon message about the Prodigal son. It gives a modern day story about the Prodigal Son, but from the point of the older brother. Its really good, you should watch it for family home evening. I will include a link, just to make it a little easier ;) Haha, computer smiley faces are so funny.

That's pretty funny about the whole Olympics thing. How is the US doing anyways?

What an interesting conversation it must have been. It must be really nice to have someone love you, the fact that you would visit them and cherishes your time. The story she told you about her daughter made me really sad. It is something that I have come to acknowledge on my mission. The fact that The Love Magnet will probably pass away before I do. In the beginning of my mission, it brought me a lot of heartache, but now I have a changed perspective. I still have a lot of time left with my favorite little sister, there are lot of things we can do together. Will I be sad when she leaves this life? You better believe it, but I take solace knowing that I will be able to see her again. Not only that, but in a perfect body. I don't have to think about that for a long time, but it still makes me really excited.

For my 21st birthday we went to a Chinese restaurant with a member. 'A' is way a way cool and solid member. She's really funny and so not excited for sister missionaries to come to Bacau. I keep praying we get really good sisters. The members, us and the city need it. After Chinese, we went to internet and then off to the B family for dinner. They have a tradition where they buy pizzas on someones birthday. This is a very rare treat and I am so grateful that they would include me on one of their family's traditions. We also had cake. I have a video where they are singing to me. I wish I had been holding the camera, cause I look so awkward in the video. What is one supposed to do when others are singing happy birthday? Basically be as awkward as possible. The other missionaries hadn't been shopping yet, so they left early and we just talked for a bit. Answered a few gospel questions and what not. S, one of the daughters, is really smart and has been reading everyday. She has some good questions. After answering a few, we ran home. While we were planning for the night, the other elders called us into the main room. I went out, expecting them to have a camera and some balloons or something. I tried to go to the kitchen, but then Elder L stopped me. Apparently only he was supposed to go out haha.

They had a cake and we sang happy birthday again and ate some more cake (chocolate this time, instead of an angel food cake(ish)). The next morning, we all woke up sick because of all the sugar. Hadnt had that much sugar in a long long time.

This week we were at the store and I wanted to get a treat. My favorite thing that I used to get was a Swiss Roll. Now, Elder T had become super paranoid about alcohol in the candy here (its in a lot of stuff and you usually don't notice it). So when I got my swiss roll, I turned it around, just to humor myself, only to find that the dumb thing has alcohol. Well shoot, there goes my favorite treat. Now I need to go find an equally delicious roll of chocolate and plastic to quench my hunger.

Missionary ideas for Dad:  One of the things that the aps are pushing is a small paper that has a few lines for friends and then cooresponding boxes for dates. The dates are when they are going to invite that certain friend to what activity. After the 8th or so activity, they will invite the friend to take the lessons. On the back has a bunch of things such as, how to ask a friend to an activity, which activities are good, how to choose a friend etc etc. We haven't tried it yet, but I will let you know the results.

I got that package! Thank you so much. I am actually using the cookies today for a spiritual thought and the red velvet cakes will be for tonight when we finish our pday. I will send you pics later today. We have English soon and are leaving in a few minutes.

Love you all and talk to you soon,

Elder Ormsby

 It is so cold!

 Found another Bacau Creep.

The foyer of the rented Bacau church building.

 Sacrament room

 Foyer hallway to the left.

 Foyer hallway to the right

 This is interesting. This is how romanians (and most of europe) heat their homes. It heats water to 70 C and then pumps it to water heaters. Those things are HOT!

 My apartment kitchen.  Yes, it is messy right now.

 I dont know why, but Elder O likes to point at me with an strange face...

 This is American Week at Lidl (a store). I bought "hot dogs" cause I was bored of what we had back home...they werent hot dogs...

Don't they look appealing?..

 How about now?

 Elder T bought "cheese cake". Do I see a trend?

 Chocolate muffins (werent so bad) and popcorn (havent tried it yet)

 What Romanians think Americans eat. 

now that is a real meal!!!

Thanks for the package!