26 February 2018 - Week 47

Monday morning we received a text from the office telling us the Elders apartment was very messed up.  We had been to the Elders apartment the week before and although it was not spotlessly clean, it was on in the state as represented by the photos we received.   We called them and told them we would be there asap to take a look around and see what the problem is.  The Elders looked at the photos and said the photos were more than a year old.  They also had had a call from the mission office because the apartment owner had complained.  These pictures show the problems we saw.  

This moulding has been missing for at least a year. It easy to snag socks and shoes on.

This moulding is not secured and randomly slips out of place.

Broken handle on closet door.

All of the problems are maintenance that has been requested to be fixed, but have not been done.  We did not find any of the problems shown in the photos that were sent email.  The Elders promised they would spend alot of time cleaning this week so the apartment will be ready for the sisters. 

We took the Elders out to visit Sora Muscan.  They are teaching her the temple lessons.  She is hoping to go to the temple in Germany sometime this year.  She so sweetly calls Elder Wilstead "willy".


By the time we finished the lesson it was lunch time so we went out for a sort of Last Supper, before they go home. They chose Euphoria where we all seem to like to go.  We all wanted to order BBQ ribs, but they did not have any.  The guys took the next best thing, some smoked ribs and I ordered chicken cordon blu. 

Here's Brent daintily trying to keep the food off his tie.  

Elder Gore

Cordon blu with bean salad and some yummy gravy stuff.

We went to Timi on Friday to teach the Elders about family history as part of our beta test in preparation to teach at all the Zone conferences in the mission this month.  On Saturday we went to Oradea to do their financial audit.  Brent has been called to do financial auditing and to be a part of the District presidency.  We walked across the centru square to have a delicious American Grill burger before the meeting.

There are some beautiful buildings on the centru square in Oradea.

A peaceful demonstration in the square.  I'm not sure what the protest is about. 

On Sunday we pooled our resources and enjoyed a taco lunch with ice cream and homemade chocolate cookies.  The Elders and Sisters came to our apartment. 

Sora Sterrett, Sora Kerrison, Elder Wilstead, and Elder Gore

Sunday evening we have to take all four of the missionaries to the train station.  Elder Gore and Wilstead are going home to Utah.  Sora Sterrett and Sora Kerrison are going to Bucharest.  Sora Sterrett will pick up a new companion and return to Arad.  Sora Kerrison is going to Constansa to be in a trio.  Her companions will be Sora Alger and Sora Garrett. 

Lots of baggage!!!

We heard from several sources about the Elders wearing sweat pants, including President Hettinger, another missionaries mother and Elder Wilstead's mom.  Hmm. . . sometimes they don't make the best choices. 

Elder Andersen is being helpful. 

The sisters have a sleeper car for the night's ride. 

There is a saying in the mission field that when you arrive you are "born" into the mission and that when you leave you "die."  But our mission office Senior missionary, Sora DeSpain says, "I don't like to call it that.  I just say,  "They are off to their next opportunity."  Here the Arad Elders go . . off to their next opportunity.