Ploiesti, The Branch & Elders Quorum

How’s it going everyone!

Weather - We got about a two or three feet of snow over the last four days which was pretty sweet!  It’s getting a little crazy out there now.  People waited until the snow stopped before they decided to shovel.  Instead of pushing strollers around with their kids, they put them on rail sleds and pull them around!  Cars are completely snowed-in and we push people out of the snow constantly.  Don’t worry Mom, I’m keeping warm with all my sweaters and jackets.  It’s been pretty fun in the snow though which helps keep time go fast.

Investigators – Yes, we have investigators here in Ploiesti!  Pretty crazy but it’s been fun!  First we have the Raducanu Family.  They were found by Elder Barclay a little over a year ago. The dad, Larentu, was baptized a few transfers ago. Then there is Mari the wife, Alex 18 year old boy, and Grati who is an eleven year old boy.  The rest of the family hasn’t been baptized.  They are really hesitant to be baptized but love the missionaries and the lessons so much; they always want us over and teaching them - Especially Mari!

Another investigator we have Big Alex.  He is in his 20's and we meet with him every Saturday.  We do a 30 minute gospel and 30 minute English lesson with him.  He really likes to talk and we don’t progress too far with him.  Hopefully we can invite him to church soon.

Church - We were supposed to have President Hill up this weekend for interviews, but because we got so much snow he decided to push it to this week.  Anyway, he was going to teach priesthood meeting yesterday but obviously couldn’t.  Well Saturday, after the Larisa’s baptism, President Hill asked that I prepare the lesson for the next day.  Guess what Dad, it’s late notice in this Elders Quorum too - Haha!   Needless to say, I was freaking out and nervous.  The talk was by Bednar and was ‘Windows of Heaven.’  It was about tithing and went really well actually!  The EQ is the same here that it is at home; meaning that if you ask them a question, they will talk for 15 minutes straight before stopping.  I only got through about 1/4 of my lesson, but they all enjoyed it.

Last night, we went to go check on Mari Raducanu because she got offended in Relief Society.  We didn’t have a lesson planned but she wanted one anyway.  I pulled out my lesson from Priesthood and I pretty much gave the lesson.  She loved it and asked if she could keep the talk and my notes.  She could not believe that the Quorum of the Twelve pray where the tithing money should be spent before they spend it!  She was an extremely faithful orthodox member and knew they did some corrupt things with tithing. Anyway, I felt really good about it after that!

Hope all is well at home and I miss you guys!

Love,
Elder Brown