Week 56

Dear Family, 

Sorry this letter will probably be a little short. This keyboard is not making me the happiest camper right now, but here is the run down of the past week, and then maybe I will aswer some of your email.

So my new comp has had one crazy first week. This last week we were preparing lunch when we find out that our water has been shut off. The previous missionaries hadnt payed the bill in a water (much to the anger of one man who gave me a talking to). We are then forced to vacate our apartment as our propriatara (land lady) sent us a text and told us we have 1 week before she kicks us out. She was also unhappy with the way that missionaries had previously treated her apartment. It was a pretty nice place, but it will be good to find a new one. The only problem is that the previous missionaries (the one who found the original apartment 1 year ago) looked for an entire transfer. It really takes a lot of time out of missionary work looking for an apartment. The next fun thing happened when we were in a park. I was on the phone with the ZL's and all of a sudden a man approached us and asked Elder Anderson a question. I hurried and hung up on the ZL's and asked the man to repeat what he had asked. We then proceed to talk about things that really dont matter as he tried to tear us apart. He told us that we need to read the Bible. I replied that I was, in fact, currently reading the bible and I was in isaiah. He said " No, you need to read the Bible, you dont believe in the Bible and as such, you couldnt be reading it." It was a very long and very pointless conversation. I say that only because he wasnt really interested in learning anything about the church, or about us. Mostly he wanted us to "be free". I felt really sad for him and told him as much. Elder A loved it, however. I asked him how much he understood, and he understood a bit of it. My favorite is still what he said. I think I already told you about this last story, so I wont continue. So now we live with the ZL's (this is fine, they live at the church and their apartment is HUGE) and we will be looking for a new apartment this week. Right now we are in a internet cafe, in MOLDOVA! Yup, we finally fled Romania and went to a new country. Only for a bit though. Yesterday we had our christmas party/conference, which was a lot of fun. I will be sending pics next week. We are going to go and buy a chaciula soon, so you will need a picture or two of that. Shout out to Elder Andersons mom who has tasked me with helping him to write good emails and take lots of pictures. My mom can attest that the second one will be near impossible, but we shall see what happens. 

Loves to all who read this,

Elder Ormsby

(Note from Mom:  No pics this week.  I did pull these off of the senior missionaries blog.  huge thanks to them for thinking to document this activity)

(Elder Ormsby far left)

(these incredible senior missionaries cooked a feast for homesick elders and sisters.  According to their blog the meal was ham, potatoes, rootbeer, and pie.  I'm sure that Elder Ormsby was particularly thankful for the rootbeer and pie.)

(These missionaries are saints!)

Week 20 with a lot of pics!

we sent Elder Ormsby this pic with our family letters.  His response:

holy smokes, will you stop feeding that boy miracle grow!!! That is so cool, man he is way tall, they both are. That is really cool about the discussion at grandma and grandpas house. well gotta go

(then in a separate letter)

Haha, gotch ya. Well, being in a two man city can get stircrazy, so forgive me of my little prank. Unfortunately your packages haven't arrived yet. I wonder what the UK one will be.

We have been trying to get things in order here in Deva and it has been a little slow. Being called as branch financier (Mom's note:  Branch Financial Clerk) and also 1st assistant (Mom's note:  1st Counselor in the Branch Presidency)  has put some other duties on me as well as being a missionary. We hope to get the ball rolling and there are some really cool prospective...posibili simpatizanti...possible investigators. 

We teach English and after we have a spiritual thought. This last one we gave everyone a copy of the Book of Mormon and asked them to read in it with us. Then as we finished and stood to take them back, one of our students asked us if she could keep the book. Uh ya. Then another woman asked if it would be ok if she could take it as well. Uh double Ya. Hopefully it goes somewhere. Then we were at internet and a young man behind me taped my shoulder as I was watching the Bible videos of Christ. He asked if I liked them and then went back to his business. I had such a strong feeling that I needed to talk to him and give him one of our cards about a documentary? Emisiune. It took me another 5-10 minutes, but God knew what he wanted. So we talked a little bit and he knows a bit about our church. We are going to meet up on Friday and hopefully talk a little bit more about what he watch. For those who know Romanian or just want to watch it the site is www.mormonii.ro and it will be a link on the left side. It is actually really good, although the music is kinda weird. but what to do. 

Hey what is this, you skyped the Fs before you skyped me??? Well see if I send you any pictures today haha. Love you all and I am thankful for your willingness and love that I can feel everyday.  Miss you all a lot and I cant wait to talk to you in May. I know that God lives and that He has a plan for you. Always remember that in your times of need and trial. They are all for your good D&C 122. Listen to Elder Bruce R. McConkies final talk and you will know how much our Savior loves us.

Love

Elder Ormsby

 Oh,. the Love Magnet will LOVE this pic!

 There are a lot of beautiful churches in Romania.

 Elder B knows a few tricks!

 More proof that he knows how to cook.

 The missionaries have to brush their teeth at the kitchen sink - the only place in the apartment with filtered water.  It looks like a nice apartment.

 Beautiful cemeteries.

Elder Ormsby has commented that there are a lot of dogs in Romania. Some are very big.  It is hard to tell how big this guy is, so we'll just have to trust Elder Ormsby's judgment.

Week 15

That is so cool about Adam, I bet Grandpa was really excited too. They will both be able to speak French by the time he comes home, although his will be a little different.

Life here is really good, we had mission conference as you know and Elder Richards talked a lot about obedience and referrals. Good thing I have the best companion in the world. I prayed for a companion who would work me really hard and be diligent in all things, and I received it. Elder H is a rockstar here in the Romania/Moldova mission. He is known for his work ethics and everyone loves Elder H, or H as some of the Romanians call him.  Hopefully he rubs off on me a little bit in the next 4 months.

I cant wait to hear about Adam in the MTC, tell me his email, so I can write him a time or two. When does Steph enter in? Or is she already in? OH how is Steph our neighbor? If you haven't seen her in a while, will you just see how she is, take the Love Magnet. Tell her I just wanted to know how she is and then tell her She needs to write me. 

If Dad doesn't get better soon, call up the home teachers. Some of the things that I have come to appreciate here in Romania are: water I can drink from the tap, dishwashers, dryers, elevators that don't scare me when I get in them, ovens with a temp gauge, home teachers and other church callings. We are trying to get things running here in Timi. Right now Timi is jogging, before we leave it will be at a dead sprint. Any ways, call up the home teachers and ask them to give a blessing to Dad, Secondborn and Thirdborn if he needs it. I have learned that it blesses not only the person receiving  but also the person giving. You are depriving those people of the blessings that come from giving a blessing when you think you are wasting their time or dont want to bug them. I learned this in the MTC, understand that you are not bugging someone who holds the priesthood when you are asking for a blessing.  The Priesthood, when worthy, is to be used. Not saved for another time, it doesn't really work that way. Hopefully what I am saying makes sense. Don't be afraid to ask for  a blessing pur si simplu. Love you all and I hope you guys feel better soon.

 

Elder Ormsby

Thanks to the senior missionaries for the pictures 

 Bowling Youth Activity.  Most of them had never bowled before.  The missionaries had to show them how.

Elder Ormsby kept his coat on.

The whole group at the Youth Activity.  Only one was a member, the rest are investigators.

 Missionary concert.  The district from Arad joined in.  Elder Ormsby participated in an Acapella Quartet.

 Missionary choir.

 Must have been the missionaries' idea.  It looks like the Romanians aren't quite sure what to do.

The audience for the music concert.