Merry Christmas From Cluj

Hey everyone! Thanks for the awesome emails mom and dad! That's cool that hearing me talk about my experiences brings back all those memories for you of your mission dad! Oh and not to sound rude or incensitive, but you've got nothing to worry about with me, I wasn't crying at the end during our skyp call. It was so awesome to be able to see everone, and Ember and Tristan are soooo cute!! I was just so extremely thankful that I could see all of your faces! It was the perfect Christmas present. I actually haven't really been homesick. I did feel a little down on Christmas morning, but it's hard to keep feeling that way when you go caroling and get your faces stuffed with sarmali and baked goodies! I've really felt the homey family Christmas-y feeling here with the other missionaries and the branch members. And when I get my presents from you all back home, It will be like having Chrismas all over again!

 

So I just read an email from Adam, he told me about the baptism he had in November, but didn't say he had another one in January! Apparently his mission allows him to email other missionaries, but mine does not, so I guess if you get have the Vosses let him know that he'll have to wait for some snail mail from me that would be nice. Oh and I was going to send you some pictures this week, but I forgot to bring my stuff to upload pictures from my camera onto the computer. We have to go to internet cafe's to do email. So I will have to send you picures next week. So you asked about the living situation with the missionaries, Elder Clonts and I live in an apartment block on the kinda eastern/central part of Cluj, and Elder Johnson and Elder Brunner live on the other side of the city, and the Lameraux's - the senior missionary couple here - live in the same block right below us. Oh and as for the whole mailing situaution, I asked the other Elders and they said they've never had mail sent directly to their apartment, so they don't know if it's any faster than sending it to the mission office, so just have Anna and Sarah send their packages to the mission office, that'll be fine. As long as there's no perishables in there, it should be good.

 

So yeah, like I said over skype, not too much missionary work has been done, because everybody's so busy with the holidays. We've had about 4 lessons total this week. Actually, yesterday we had a lesson with a friend of a member and her daughter that was really cool. So there's this guy in the branch named Dorel, he's about 29 or so and looks and acts just like Mr. Bean, haha, he's a pretty funny guy, super friendly. He made a bunch of food a couple nights before, and invited all the missionaries to his house for lunch after church yesterday. He also Invited a friend of his named Mihala (I think) and her son Denis to church for the Christmas program, and then to his house for lunch. After lunch we had a lesson with her and talked about Christ and His atonement, and also the restoration of the gospel. It was awesome having Dorel there, he was able to explain things to her really well. The Spirit was really strong during the whole lesson, and she said that she wanted to come closer to Christ. We gave her a BoM, and invited her to pray about it, now we're just waiting to find another time when we can all meet and have anther lesson. That was probably the best spiritual experience I've had this week.

 

That's really cool hearing about your experience teaching Relief Society mom! I'm just constantly amazed at how Christ works in our lives and how the Holy Ghost can have such an impact on people when they are open and receptive to its teachings. I've started reading Our Search for Happiness by M. Russell Ballard the past couple of days. I don't know if any of you have read it or not, but you should, it's really good! It explains what we believe in and the history of the restoration so well, it's a great missionary tool. (That's probably why it's one of the few books we're allowed to read).

 

Oh, and I got Grandpa Gary and Grandma Linea's Dear Elder in my email today, so people can send me stuff through Dear Elder, but just make sure they send it to my emial I guess...That's awesome that Heather's staying with you all Tuesday, I hope you all have an awesome time! Get caught up on your book club haha! Well today for P-day we are going to Pizza Hut for lunch, and then going ice skaying in Centru, so that will be fun! It's been snowing a ton all day today (ironically, it rained on Christmas day) so everything's covered in fresh powder thats absolutely beautiful!

 

My language comprehension is slowly starting in increase, although it can still be a little frustrating at times to be three or four sentences behind everyone during a lesson haha. That's where you just have to rely on the Spirit right? I'm not really too worried about it, just making sure that I'm working my hardest to stay on task, follow all the rules, and study up! Well, It was great reading all your emails, I look forward to them every week! I love you all so much! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

 

Love, Elder Myers

 

Welcome to Transylvania !!!!

Buna Ziua!!!

Hello everyone! Thanks for the email mom, wow give a big thanks to the Poppa's and Nana and Poppa Graham! I still have to buy some gloves, scarf and a hat. It is soooo cold here!!!! It's been -6 or -8 C wich I think is somewhere in like the 20's F. So the plane ride was super long, and I've been getting over the jet lag the last few days, but it's not too bad. So as the the money question - where I'm serving? I'm in Cluj right now, and my companion is Elder Clonts. He's a cool guy, he's from Thatcher Arizona, and he's been out for about a year and a half. He's been a lot of help to me and a great trainer. Oh and yes my pday is on monday. although today we have to do our email's in the morning because we have a zone christmas party at the church all day today, so we don't really get a pday today haha. So far I love it here! Its kinda hard to understand people - when I was at church yesterday I was trying to talk to this investigator after sacrament. He was asking about how many missionaries are in Cluj and what parts of the city we preach in and I was having a hard time following what he was saying so he points to his son and says something like just speak english to him and then he'll translate for you haha. oh man I felt so dumb but it was funny! Most of the younger people here know a fair amount of English. 

My first day in Bucarest was crazy! We went to the Church office, got our pictures taken, met the elders who were going to go out contacting that night, and had a quick little medical exame, basically the doctor just asked if we were healthy and stuff like that. so then that night Elder Tefft and I went out with Elder James and Elder Ransom who were actually in the group ahead of us in the MTC, so it was fun to see them again. We didn't end up doing much contacting because we only had a couple hours and we couldn't find an ATM with cash so we could buy dinner haha. Our plain got in late so their whole schedule got kinda messed up. The next day we went to the mission home, had breakfast and interviews with President Lundberg, then went to this park on top of this hill made out of a bunch of rocks where the dedicatory prayer was given, and we read the prayer out loud. Then we went back to the mission home where Pres told us who our companions are and where we were going, and we were off! I had a 10 hour train ride from like 6 to 4:30 from Bucarest to Cluj. First time on a train with beds and everything, that was pretty cool! 

So about Cluj: It's in Transylvania (of course), it's actually a pretty good sized city, although not nearly as big as Bucarest. I don't really know any numbers for like population and stuff like that...but anyway, there are four Elders, and then a senior couple serving here. Elder Clonts and my area is basically half the city, and the public transportation isn't very good so we walk pretty much everywhere. The city is kind of in the foothills of I guess the Transylvanian Mts (I don't really know that's a total guess.) so the terrain is a kinda hilly. There's a good amount of snow here which is awesome! I love snow haha! As far as lessons and stuff goes, we've had 8 lessons so far, which have all been pretty cool! Some of them were with some new potential investigators we found block nocking. One is this old man named Ioan who seemed pretty interested in the BoM and restoration, he asked us why God lets bad things happen to good people so we (meaning Elder Clonts. I'm mostly there for moral support haha.) talked to him about agency, and stuff like that. We've also had a couple lessons with some recent converts, they're both 15/16 year old girls from different families, and weve been giving them the new member lessons. So as for the language, some of the members who have heard me speak said that I speak very well for being a boboc. (baby duck. that's what they call greenies) and my companion says that I speak pretty well too, so that's encouraging! As for understanding whats going on, most the time I can kinda figure out what people are talking about but it takes a lot of focus and energy to follow along. By the end of the day my brain is totally fried!

Yeah, so things are going pretty well, I'm loving it here in Romania! things are really different from America, but I think its so cool that I have this opportunity to learn about a culture that's different from my own. So far I haven't really been hit by too much culture shock, I'm just kinda taking things as they come, but everything's super different for sure! Oh one thing - the juice here is amazing!!! So I hope I will get that christmas package at the party today, and a big Merry Christmas to everyone back in good ol' Cali! One quick thing, I got an email from Heather (which I absolutely loved) but she was asking if I can email back, which sadly i cannot. :( So if someone could let her know that I will be writing her a letter asap. actually I think she usually reads these on the blog, so yeah ok. Hi Heather! lol. and also if you could forward this to my MTC teachers, their addresses are: Christina.Petrisor@gmail.com, alex.jepson@gmail.com, ctrben@gmail.com, robbieirion@gmail.com, steveyboy408@gmail.com

Ok thanks so much!! Oh yeah and about Christmas- so i found out that we are allowed to skype so if you want to try to set that up, then that would be cool. other wise a phone call will be awesome! I figure I could call at like 7pm for me, which is....10am for you guys allright well I gotta go, I'm already over my time limit! I love you all, Merry Christmas!

Elder Myers

Email From Romania

Shane's flight was due to arrive in Bucharest at about 3:30 pm on the 15th. None of us were sure how or when word would come to us regarding his arrival and assignment. We just knew he was in good hands and all must have went well or we would have heard something. Each  mission is supervised by a Mission President and his wife. They sort of become the mother and father of the missionaries while they are away from home. They teach, train, advise and watch over them as well as give them their assignments. Saturday afternoon we were thrilled to receive the following e-mail from the Mission President's wife:

Dear Families,

I'm sorry this is so late in coming.  We've had a crazy week, and I didn't get all of your email addresses from your missionaries before they left town.  However, I want you all to know that your missionaries arrived in Bucahrest safely and all are in good spirits.  They've each been given their first companion and are hard at work.  I saw several of them last night at their Christmas party/devotional/dinner, and will see the others within the next few days at theirs.  We are thrilled to have them here with us.

Plan on hearing from your missionary on Mondays, which is our preparation day.  A few of them will be off schedule this coming week because of traveling to the city where their Christmas party and training will be held.  If you don't hear from them Monday, you should hear from them for sure by Tuesday.

Thank you for sharing these wonderful missionaries with us and the people of Romania and Moldova.  Have a Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,
Sora Lundberg

Shane's Phone Call!

Missionaries are only allowed to call home on Christmas Day, Mother's Day, and while in transit to a foreign country, so phone calls are precious and memorable events during their two year service. Tuesday the 14th Shane called us from the Seattle airport during a three hour layover (which turned into a four hour layover).  Mort took the time off work, and Allyson cam over with Ember and Tristan. It was great to hear his voice and get immediate responses to our questions. We had the phone on speaker mode, so everyone shared in the conversation. Ember and Tristan added their gurgles, coos, and happy noises in the background,  which Shane really enjoyed. He was excited to be on his way to Romania, and glad to be back out in the real world again. I had been missing him quite a bit the previous few days, and talking to him was my cure.  His itinerary included a ten hour flight to from Seattle to Holland, a three hour layover there, and then a flight to Bucharest, Romania. We settled in to wait for word of his arrival there.

Last Week in the US

Buna Ziua familia mea!

 

So this is my last P-day in the US for the next two years!!! I'm so excited to go to Romania, and can't believe that I'm already leaving on Tuesday! Time just flies on by. So I got the package yesterday that you sent, but didn't find a tape in it... :( Maybe someone could send a dear elder tonight telling where it was, cuz I didn't find it anywhere. It might be possible that I accidentally threw it away. But I loved the picters you sent of Ember and Tristan! Oh my goodness they're just the two cutest babies in the whole world! Give them a big hug and kiss for me. And also I will be sending a package today with my SD card, probably some extra clothes and stuff I won't need, and a little something I got you all for Christmas. I hope you enjoy it!

 

So this last week I've learned a lot about what it means to have faith and to endure through trials and hard times that are placed before me. I don't want any of you to worry about me, I'm doing perfectly fine, I've just been experiencing the lessons of life and learning more about my Savior Jesus Christ and how the Holy Ghost teaches us in different ways. I've recieved so much support from my companion, my roommates, my district, and my teachers and I've really grown and learned a lot this week and I can honestly say now that I'm very much ready to go out to Romania, to thrust in my scycle (however that's spelled...curse you English why can't you be phonetic!) and get to work teaching the gospel to Romanians! I've still got so much to learn, I'm nowhere near being fluent in Romanian, I'm starting to understand the Book of Mormon in Romanian, but not the Bible. The Bible is ridiculous. However, my overall speaking and understanding of the language has deffinitley been increasing.

 

There hasn't been much snow here for the past couple weeks, there was a good snow storm a couple weeks ago, but it's all melted by now. :( I hope there will be snow in Bucharest when I get there, that would be awesome! I'm really excited to spend Christmas in Romania! Apparently on Christmas day the missionaries go caroling, so that will be fun, and Bucharest is supposed to have the 2nd largest christmas tree in the world, next to New York (although the Christmas tree in new york was imported from Romania last year haha!). 

 

Thanks for the extra cash in my account, I plan on buying some gloves, a scarf and a hat in Romania. Mom sounds like you've got a pretty good day ahead of you, I hope you have a good time with Grammy. Say hi to her and Aunt Crissie for me! I can't really think of anything that I need...but if I think of something I'll let you know. Oh and about the whole calling business, I will be in Seattle from about 9:00 to 12:00, I'll doulbe check on that and let you know in a letter. So I plan on calling you then, and Heather as well. Well my time is almost up, I wish I could share more but I have a bunch of letters to write today. I can't wait to tell you all about Romania!! I love you all so much!

 

Love, Elder Myers

Mailing Letters or Packages or E-mail to Shane

Time is running out for sending letters or packages to Shane while he is still in the United States. He will be in Provo, Utah through Dec. 13th. If you would like to send mail to him there before he leaves, the best way at this point is to send something through the DearElder.com link.You set up a simple, free account, and type up your letter online. It will be printed out and taken to his mailbox at the MTC. If you send it before 12:00 A.M. Mon- Fri., he will receive it that same day.

If you decide to send a package to Romania, plan on it taking four weeks at this time of year. A letter will take 10 days to two weeks this time of year. This is the most accurate info I have at this point. We do not know where Shane will be assigned once he gets to Romania, so any mail should be sent to the Mission Home (headquarters) and addressed as follows:

                                            Shane Myers
                                            Sos. Pipera  Nr. 41  Et. 7
                                            Bucharest, Romania 014254


Some people have been e-mailing Shane, and he loves it, but he can only e-mail  his immediate family, so include your physical address if you e-mail him so that he can hand write a letter back to you. Thanks for supporting Shane!

BUNA ZIUA!

Buna ziua familia mea!

 

Ce mai faceti? This week has flown by! It was so awesome hearing about everything that happened on thanksgiving. I'm glad that you all had such a good time with Heather! In her last letter she told me that she had a really good time, and loved seeing all of you. And all the missionary experiences that are happening in the 5th ward? Wow, that's just amazing, I don't remember there ever being that many investigator's coming into the ward! Oh, and sorry I didn't really tell you anthying for what to get me for christmas haha. I kinda forgot...but hey, basically anything you do get me I will absolutely love, so it doesn't really matter. 

 

Man, ok, so what's happened this week? Elder Bruner and I continue to have really awesome teaching experiences. Our method is that we have a few goals set to accomplish, like commit them to read the BoM and pray about it, or come to churhc, our last lesson we made a soft committment to baptism, which was really cool! But yeah, so we have these goals in mind, then we pray for the Holy Ghost to guide our lesson, and not really plan anything as far as 'oh, you say this and I'll say that,' or, 'we'll start with this doctrine and scripture and then move into this,' but we just let our whole lesson be centered around the investigater's needs, letting the Spirit prompt us things to say, and scriptures to share. Every time we've tought that way, we end up accomplishing all our goals, and covering all the material that we thought would be important for them to hear. It's SO amazing to see the Holy Ghost work through me and my companion like that.

 

The new district came in yesterday, 3 elders and 1 sister. It was really fun talking to them and seeing their half scared overwhelmed expressions. It made me think about my first day here at the MTC, and just how much progress I've made since that first day! It's also kinda given me a confidence boost for the language, which I think my whole district will need before we head out to Romania! Oh, and also, another thing about teaching, all our lessons the past couple weeks have been all Romanian. My first lesson I was pretty nervous about the whole thing and while I was teaching I found myself focusing more on the language and less on the investigator's needs. One of my teachers pointed that out when he asked, 'how do you think you did as far as applying the gospel to their lives?' and I though 'uuuuhhhhhh I didn't. I was too worried about the language -- haha! That was a really good learning experience for me and since then, I have been making sure that I really focus on the investigator and his/her needs, and showing them how the gospel can bless their lives, and let me tell you, THE GIFT OF TONGUES IS REAL. I know that I never spoke anything near perfect Romanian, but I know that I taught with the Spirit, and that the Lord allowed me to convey such a profound gospel truth in a language that I barely knew, and in a way that touched the hearts of my "investigator's. In my last lesson, we were teaching this guy who didn't believe in God because he couldn't see God's influence in his life. My companion shared an analogy of how God's hand in our lives is like gravity. We don't necessarily see it, but we see it's affects. While Elder Bruner was sharing this, I felt impressed to share my experience of when we were in that huge crash in Idaho, where Allyson wasnt wearing a seatbelt, and I remember seeing the roof dented in around Mom's head, and how not a single one of us had even a broken bone. It was such a powerful spiritual experience, and I could tell that it had a strong impact on the guy we were teaching. All of this I was saying in Romanian, and didn't know half the vocab I needed to explain a car crash and used a lot of hand motions haha, but still, the Spirit was there and testified of the truth of God.

 

Last of all WE GOT OUR TRAVEL PLANS YERSTERDAY!!!!!!!! We report to the travel office at 5:00 am Dec 14, fly from SL to Seatle to Amsterdam to Bucharest!!!! I told Coralie, so hopefully she will be able to pick me up! Oh man, I cannot WAIT to get out there and start teaching the gospel to Romania! Well my time is just about up, hope you enjoyed everything! Va Iubesc!

 

Love, Elder Myers

 

P.S. I got an e-mail from Nate Mckeever, and I can't email him back. Could someone get his address for me? Oh, and if you can get it, I would like to know Erik's mailing address as well. Merci, ciao!