Merry late Christmas my friends! Let's jump into it! (this one is long sorry, really truly sorry)
First off, Christmas Eve was Tuesday and I hit 6 months as a missionary! I love being a missionary. It has been my biggest blessing and also my hardest thing! I never understood that until I did it. About a year ago (December 19) I got called to Romania and that little text has changed my life. I love these people more than I could imagine, I love my Savior more than I knew possible and am doing things not possible without Him. I didn't know how you could love so many people in such a short amount of time, but truly these Romanian people have my heart in every way. In these 6 months I have told countless people of the Book of mormon, helped people grow their relationship with God, been told about all kinds of trials and at the end of the day no matter how many people I helped, I was always the one learning more and growing. Sharing the gospel really brings you the most blessings and growth. Also, in these last 6 months I have struggled and been stretched and gone through some tough times. But through it all I feel closer to my family and understand them more as I know their heartaches and struggles, closer to my friends and companions as I have helped them and they help me and ultimately I'm closer to my Savior. I know this life isn't possible without Him and preaching of Him everyday might be my favorite thing. Through the tough times and trials, I have come to know my Savior better than before and if for no other reason, I am grateful to be on mission for that. I love being a missionary and am grateful for the year to come :)
Ok actually life events :
Tuesday was Christmas Eve. Basically we spent it visiting a bunch of members and got fed so much food. We visited 4 different people that day. Each time we went we got fed food. I ate so much sarmale that day. You can't say no so you just have to keep eating and it's actually crazy. I was so full. Mostly full of oil and cabbage but it's ok. It was a lot of fun and everyone loved having us over. It might have been my favorite christmas eve. We were actually doing meaningful things and spreading the light of Christ. It was so amazing.
Christmas:
Lets just say, my Christmas looks very different this year but I wouldn't have it any other way, celebrating Christ while representing Christ was the coolest thing. I love Christmas as a missionary and am grateful to spend a beautiful holiday in a beautiful country with beautiful people :)
It started off with going to a church service at an orthodox church where some lady had a heart attack right in front of us and it was freaky and weird and the church service was odd too. Then we had our first member meal of the day. It was a toughie. She fed us so much and most of it was not good. Us 6 missionaries choked down 2 plates of bad food and thought we were done but then she brought out so much sarmale. So we had to eat that. I think half my body was cabbage at that point. She was the sweetest lady but the food was less than sweet. Then we caroled to some other friends and got treats, very fun. Then we had another member meal (with more sarmale, I'm up to like 20 rolls at this point). It was a lot of fun and this family is amazing. The branch members were so hospitable and it was so amazing. It'll be a Christmas I'll never forget.
Then the day after Christmas we left that night for zone conference in Brașov (a city closer to Bucharest). We got in at 3 am so sleep was a little rough. But zone conference was a lot of fun, I love seeing all my zone friends. Then we didn't end up leaving until midnight that night so sleep was a little rough again haha. All in all very good!
Spiritual thought:
I listened to a talk by Elder Holland again this week. He talks about the Atonement and Mosiah 3:19. He tells some stories about people having to forgive others for wronging them. He tells us that trials are so hard and sometimes we don't understand why we go through it. We don't understand why we were plagued with these trials and seemingly no one else struggles as hard. However, through trials we are able to grow and learn things that we may have not in any other way. I know we have all had our fair share of trials and I know that I have often wondered why I am struggling so much and why others aren't. But I know I have grown so much from my trials and that through them and through my weaknesses I have been made stronger. I invite you all to listen to the BYU devotional "A Saint Through the Atonement of Christ the Lord" by Elder Holland and think of what you could learn from the trial you are currently in.
love you all!
Merry late Christmas and Happy New Year!
Also I cracked finally (only took 6 months) but I made a Google photos for those who can't look at the link my mom sends!
I added some photos from the last 6 months and I'll add more!
pictures !
6 months!
Sisters in my zone
Some of the member meals
More Pics
Christmas Dinners
The Alpha and Omega church with the verse of John 3:16
Zone conference in Brasov
6 months!
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