30 April 2018 - Week 56

The sunshine and rain of a Romanian spring have encouraged the grass to grow tall and fast.  Many are cutting the grasses growing on their property.  We have seen electric lawnmowers, goats, string trimmers and cycles and scythes.  And if you have read the entries in our blog, you have seen the photos of the many things people carry on their bicycles, but this one says it all.  This is a serious grass cutting instrument.  

We were returning from a visit to a member when I spotted this lady going down the sidewalk.  I think she must have been to have someone sharpen it for her.   Use of a scythe for cutting grass, hay and grain crops dates back to the 15th century.  The tool is still being used for the same purpose in 2018.

We visited our members the Banteans' at their home in San German this week.  Brother Bantean took us out into their fenced yard to see his variety of ducks, geese, turkeys and such.  Here is the beautiful river we pass on the way to the Bantean's place.

As we went over the bridge we passed yet another wagon and horse setup.  

Another of our errands for this week was to get Sora Broadbear, our new Sister missionary, ready to apply for her Visa.  Here is a photo of the medical clinic where we had to pay 50 lei for a certificate saying she is in good health. 

Brent turned 68 on Thursday so we went out for some lunch at Euphoria, a restaurant we really like in Arad. The fun thing about eating out in Romania is that almost every place you go has an outdoor place to eat.  It is partly because almost everyone in Romania smokes, but smoking is not allowed inside.  Also, Romanians love being outside.  The weather is rarely windy, often just a little breeze.  

We both ordered bbq pork ribs.  They came on a beautiful plate with some baked potatoes. 

Jamie is known for taking pictures of crazy stuff like the top of garbage cans, so how could she resist the huge green, unique light fixtures. 

Apparently, we parked where we should not have.  Hmm, now to figure out where on earth to pay this ticket.  We can't even read it. 

The sisters made Elder Andersen some strawberry shortcake and wrote him some nice notes in an envelope decorated by Sora Broadbear.  Looks like us ..huh?

Beautiful tree we saw as we were trying to find the right place to pay our ticket. 

A visit to the country northeast of Arad to see our investigator Sora Maria.  She is reading the Book of Mormon and wants to be baptized.  Her main problem is being able to get to the church on Sunday.  She does not have a car.  The Tram Vi and buses are intermittent and infrequent on Sundays.  She has 18 chickens and was planting a beautiful garden the day we were there.

Two gypsy girls in the grocery store.  One braid means they are married, two braids means they are single. 

Jess and Ryan went to have Sunday dinner with Sandy and Kerry.  Lucky Aela got to ride the cute pony in their backyard in Lehi.