18 December 2017 - Week 37

Image from google images

Ummmm. . . yes, hand kissing still happens here.  I know because one of our English students, an 80-year-old Romanian gentleman, who says he is too old to learn English, but speaks it very well, has kissed my hand twice.  Both times I had extended my hand for a handshake and welcome greeting. The first time it happened I was shocked beyond words.  The second time I was shocked again, but not quite as much.  Looking on wikipedia I learned that hand kissing is a gesture of courtesy, politeness, respect, admiration, or even devotion. Hmmm....not sure what to think . . .  no words. Like a scene from a movie. 

We attended Zone Conference in Oradea this week.  We met in the little branch building which is near the Centre of the town.  We were well taught by President Hettinger from 1 Nephi 17 comparing their circumstance to our mission.  The water represented a barrier for them to pass through in order to reach the promised land.  They had to build a ship.  It was hard, they complained.  Are we like that?  They were comfortable in Bountiful, but the Lord promised them he would take them to a better place.  They were not sure they wanted to work to get there.   Pres. Hettinger would like us to see the vision and have every missionary in our mission have at least 1 baptism in 2018.  Ask the Lord to build a ship that will help you accomplish your goals.

Sora Hettinger taught us about Light.  She began with a story about an experience she had when she was at Ricks College.  A group of friends went to explore the caves, but they did not bring enough flashlights.  She talked about how vulnerable we feel when it is totally dark.  Heavenly Father needs us to shine our lights and help others find him.

At lunchtime we were treated to rice and chicken in a sushi roll with raman noodle salad and cookies. Elder Davis and Elder Sewell made it.  

Sora Alger with Sora Folsom and Elder Wilstead in the behind her.

From left to right you can see: Elder Sewell, Elder Smith, Elder Custer and Elder Wilstead.

Elder Jerome.  Elder Andersen talking to Sora Hettinger in the background.

Enough Raman salad to feed the kings army.

Carrot sticks and lemon bars.

Sora Kerrison and Sora Folsom, our Arad sisters, in front of the Christmas Tree.

Elder Davis, Elder Giron, Elder Winder, and Elder Wagner and food spread. 

Elder Custer opening a package from home.

More goodies from home.  Elder Bontempo and Sora Folsom in the background.

On Saturday we again traveled to Oradea for the District Christmas Program.  Romanian for Merry Christmas is "Craciun Ferecit".  The District President Geambasu and his wife Izabela put it together.  They performed a mix of Romanian, Hungarian, and English songs.  We really enjoyed the expertly presented program.  The choir is a mix of members and non-members of the church.  These choir members stood through the whole 1 1/2 hour program.  I was impressed with their stamina.

Izabela and another choir member perform "O Holy Night".

We left Arad early on Saturday so we could eat at a place called "The American Grill" which is close to the church.  We heard they had a good burger.  It was true.  We thought it was the best burger ever!  The store is owned by two Romanians who lived in America.  This is their only store.  One of them came back to Romania to see if they could make a place like this go.  It was great.

Brent all decked out with his burger, Coke and of course a chocolate milkshake. Yum.

View out the front window, notice the sign in the upper right corner. The street is for walking only, no cars allowed.

The owner behind the counter in the gray hat. The menu is a mix of English and Romanian.

I snapped a photo of this toilet because of the chain hanging down from the tank high above.  I thought it was an old-fashioned chain pull toilet, but of course, Brent inspected it and said it had modern works in the tank.  Oh well.

We cut through an alley to see more of the plaza and found this cool covered walk.  Brent said when he was here earlier in the year and it wasn't so cold out, this area was full of people sitting at tables and enjoying the day. 

Many of the towns in Romania have these bike racks where you can rent a bike.  How it works is that you rent the bike for the time you need it and then return it to the same place you got it or at any other bike rent rack, of which there are usually several throughout the town.   Pretty cool idea.

We were headed out the arch you see in the background, thinking this was a really cool place when we stopped to see what these people were taking pictures of.  We almost missed the beautiful stained glass window below which was behind us. 

Coming through the archway, we see the "Centru" of Oradea all decked out for Christmas.  Lots of little buildings where people sell their wares.  Much like the state fair in America. It was a rainy day and it was early in the day, so there were only a few people.  

The cookie man and the MOST beautiful cookies ever.  

Unbelievably pretty. How could you eat these?

And to round out the adventures for this week we saw a "Mustang".  Whoot Whoot.  America reminders.   

And a look at the roses growing in December at our branch building.  They don't mind the cold and snow.

Craciun Ferecit!