A Recipe for Awesomeness

Hey fam bam!!

I love Romania!

First of all... Mom told me that she was going to be sending me a package with someone who was coming over to Romania. I was expecting a nice little box... NOT a SUITCASE!?!?! Holy shnykies!!! I honestly couldn't believe me eyes, or my muscles when I picked up that 50 pound suitcase full of joy. Elder Bontempo and I scurried on home and opened it up... let me tell you I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT!!! Thank you, Mom, for putting that together. Watch the video and you'll believe me when I say you made two little missionary boy's lives complete. To each one of you who contributed whether it be a letter or logistics, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I don't even need Christmas (or Halloween for obvious reasons) now! 

Mike Dover, a friend of my Aunt Leah in Utah, played Santa for me delivering a 50# suitcase from home full of goodies!  He surprised me by coming to my branch for church on Sunday. (photo courtesy from Mike Dover via a text message from his wife.  Side note from Momma:  I was sitting in church yesterday when I got this picture texted to me.  I had to hold myself down from cheering as I knew the suitcase has arrived!!!)

Elder Bontempo and I picking up the suitcase from Mike Dover's hotel.  (photo courtesy from Mike Dover via a text message from his wife)

Christmas in September!!

Got a kick out of this series of letters... nice one cousins!

This week was a mighty fine one, starting off with Zone Conference. I always look forward to ZZone Conference because it is motivating, and it lets me be the moment and reflect and listen to the Spirit as to what I can do to improve as a leader and a missionary. The Hettingers focused on urgency as missionaries. We talked a lot about how we can improve ourselves in every aspect of the work. Something I admire about the Hettingers is that they are happy people. I made the connection as to why they are happy, its the same reason as to why Mom and Dad are happy. They keep the commandments and work hard! This is the recipe for happiness in life! I feel like I am pretty good at this... but I could be really, really, really, good at this! Everyday has room for improvement, and living with urgency is the secret to a successful mission, and a successful life!

A must presser... This is only made in the fall and is freshly pressed grape juice!

Asked the lady how they wash their grapes... the rain of course!

So the fun didn't stop there... the very next day we had exchanges with the missionaries serving in Craiova! This time they came up to the capital and I got to be with one of my best friends again- Elder Krieger! It was great to be with him again and reflect on life and how we can come closer to Christ. We decided to go look for a less-active members of the church in the morning and ended up having an incredible experience.

Bros for life!

We headed down to the metro station, Aparatorii Patriei, to find a member. I knew the general area as to where we needed to go, but it just so happened that I forgot to write down the exact address. Finding the exact block where someone lives is just as successful as finding a needle in a haystack. The blocks are MASSIVE and completely not in an organized fashion. The block that we happened to need was the biggest one I had ever seen in my life. We asked around to see if anyone knew this lady we were looking for and where she lives, and taught a couple of people along the way. 

Finally, the member called us and gave us the exact address but she was not home. We decided to leave a little not, and then felt like we should knock the doors around her apartment. It was Elder Krieger's first time block knocking and he was willing, but hesitant to try it. I was praying that we would have someone even open the door. Just when we were about to exit the block after many unsuccessful attempts, the spirit prompted me to knock on a the door right across from the member's.

I had skipped it on purpose the first time, but this time I felt strongly that we needed to knock it. We knocked and a little old lady hesitantly opened the door. I told her what we were doing and she wasn't interested. Then, the spirit took over.  I don't remember exactly what I said to her, but as she continued to talk she started to cry and tell us about her deceased husband and the cancer treatments that she was going through. We asked if we could say a prayer with her and she ended up letting us in. She showed us her little one-room home and told us about her little family and how life was difficult. Man, could you even imagine living alone at seventy-five year's old in a communist block with cancer and now firm knowledge of what is to happen after death? 

We read a scripture to her and a friend that came to take the older woman to her chemo appointment and closed with a prayer. The persona of this little old toothless lady had completely change. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, we had given her hope and happiness because of Jesus Christ and his gospel. We left the lady and went on our way. 

After exiting the block, we said a prayer of gratitude and then reflected on the experience. So often I overlook older people and just don't even think about talking to them because they are so set in their ways. 

2 Nephi 26:33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

God loves each one of us. It doesn't matter if we are 16, 43, or 75, he cares about our happiness. Jesus Christ invites EVERYONE to come unto him. Indeed, Jesus Christ is the SAVIOR of the WORLD.  Each day I understand this a little bit better. I know that I am one of his called disciples to preach the word of God, and help all come unto him. By living like the Son and following his gospel, we can have peace and happiness in every circumstance. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE4tNTMdoe4

Elder Krieger and I loving life!

The rest of the week was like this, honestly. It comprised of Elder Bontempo and I using our agency to be urgent in the work of the Lord, and God blessing us because of this. So many times I had the opportunity to teach and testify of the reality of the Savior and his restored gospel. Missionary work is hard, but joyous when we work hard and keep the commandments- living like the Savior. 

Piata Obor.. one of the biggest open markets in Bucharest!

The Mihai Bravu District

Two lambos... Had to get a pic for Coop!

I encourage everyone to be anxiously engaged in whatever good cause you are in and look for opportunities to serve and bear testimony. This is a recipe for awesomeness!

I love and miss all of you! Thank you all again, for the prayers and kind words and letters and thoughts and packages and everything! Man, we are lucky. 

Love,

Elder Ditto

The Members of Romania

Buna ziua tuturor!!!

Well, first thing's first... I am finally overcame that cold and running on all cylinders now!!! I felt a little outta my contacting game this week, but we had some incredible success in terms of strengthening the Mihai Bravu branch.

Fratele Brais. Currently in the Mental Hospital so we paid him a visit. He is one of the kindest and most genuine men I have met. We had a nice chat as we walked through the hospital ground.  I have never liked the hospitals here in Romania, but was glad to make his day.  Everyone needs a friend!

We also gave him a blessing.

The Mihai Bravu branch is very different to the others that I have served in. Arad, Alexandria, Craiova- all of these have been bands of some of the most faithful members of the church that I have ever met. I will always marvel and their faithfulness and devotion to serving the Lord. The saints of Romania are pioneers, and they are my heroes. I have told many stories of members in Romania in the past year, Sora Krancs and her devotion to pay tithing and come to church, regardless of the situation, Sora Emmanuela in Alexandria- the only woman of the church in her little town, Mirela Minunata of Craiova, the woman who's life has flipped a 180 because of the hope and happiness that the gospel brings. The teachings and plan that has blessed my life so much, has blessed millions of people around the world, because of their own decision to follow Jesus Christ. 

Alma 26:37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

I add my testimony that God truly is mindful of every people, and joy comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Orthodox church by night

SLAM DUNK BURGERS... Made these 250 grammers from scratch!

Now, back to Bucharest. I will be honest, it took me a while to receive trust from the members here. In the other branches, we just wholly relied upon one another. This branch seemed a little different to me. Here in Bucharest we are blessed with two chapels for two branches. At one point in church history here, there were two branches that would meet in each building and hundreds of members would flock to the church on Sundays! Now, this is sadly not the case. 

Our tramvai we take to the church

On a good Sunday, we have around 45 members that come to sacrament meeting. Now, that is 5X more than in any other branch that I have been in, but Bucharest is home to 1 million and somethin' people... God has more prepared children here that are waiting to here the good news! With this, we have many goals and ambitions that will help unite the members and missionaries together to build up the kingdom of God here in Bucharest, that we might fulfill the apostolic blessing that there will be stakes here!

I made an effort to take pictures of the members that we met with this week. Enjoy them! 

Fratele Manescu... A faithful member of many years, only drinks LEMONADE, loves Joseph Smith and everything history. He will talk your ears off if you let him!

Fratele Paun. One of the goofiest guys in all of Romania. He is a true blue mormon- his testimony is firm and dedicates his time to helping others in the branch.   This week he fed us some killer pizza and fanta madness (grape fanta but way better than in the states).

We celebrated Soro Gorzo's 81st birthday with her this past week.  

https://youtu.be/Q5nrJ7n0ANU

Sora Gorzo's bday!! 81 and still a champion chef!

Elder Bontempo and I have been working hard to gain trust of the members here and connect with the leaders of the branch, which will create an atmosphere of excitement for member missionary work and love one to another! It has been a really unique experience to be in the details of how the church works in terms of leadership and logistics at a branch and mission level. The things I am doing now, rest assured, will come back to help me and others in another time of my life. 

Our English Board fell because of the high wind speeds... 

Phillip. Traveling all around the world on his bike.

Gotta scoot- but hope this painted a nice little picture of where the church is at in Romania. the Lord blesses us as we serve in whatever calling or position we are in. He expands our talents and capacity to love when we thrust in our sickle!

Love,

Alex

Luca... the best covrigerie in the whole wide world

Pday shenanigans

Missionary Work of the Bucuresti

Hey fam!

Well another week in Bucharest accomplished. The sick bug finally caught up to me this weekend and put me out of commission yesterday, but more about that later!

Wandering the streets of a little village outside of Bucharest

Romanian sunsets

I can't believe that I have been in Bucharest for more than three months now. Time as a missionary is very weird. Dad was wanting to here about my role as a zone leader, so I thought I would talk a little bit about how this position has helped me learn and grow, as well as helped the zone of Bucharest!

Romanian construction... the slowest on earth

Elder Ditto 

Homeless people napping in the park

To start, when I first arrived in Bucharest, our zone was in a little rut, and the energy was very low. Bucharest has a million and something residents- you would think that each missionary would have a bushel of people to teach! Three months ago, that just wasn't the case! I remember feeling pretty overwhelmed and not sure how to help the zone. The first step was for  Elder Bontempo and I to get organized and get to work. 

Our boy Dani Firaru

I am happy to say that Elder Bontempo and I have not slowed down our efforts over the course of these three months, but rather have worked even harder! I feel like each week we get more and more committed to finding those who are looking for the truth, and to following the spirit. I have learned so much! Amidst the success, we have had many difficult days, even weeks! The Lord is not forgetful of us- I have witnessed that as we stay faithful in doing the things we know are right, even when it is hard or not desirable, He rewards us for out efforts more than we could have imagined.  I see this everyday! One day this week, we had a lesson with a family in our branch in the morning, and then nothing else planned the rest of the day. After a great lesson and an incredible homemade meal of ciorba de fasole (bean soup) , cartofi piure (mashed potatoes), si curcan (they had just butchered a turkey... probably the best turkey I have ever had), we set out to find new people. The Lord blessed us in finding a really awesome kid, and even we ran into a guy that I had met six months ago, and he is now an investigator!! 

Fajitas!!!

Don't worry...everything gonna be alright!

So after getting ourselves committed, we brain stormed ways that we could get the other missionaries excited. We decided to do Zone Contacting every Sunday night. We have a nice big street board and a table, and all of the missionaries in Bucharest take over a park and talk to everyone! The energy that is created is incredible, and seeing everyone doing the Lord's work is really neat. I feel blessed to be in an area with many other missionaries, something that I had not experienced for the majority of my mission!

District contacting

An Orthodox church

We also created a sports night, where all the missionaries can invite their friends and investigators for a fun night of playing sports. The idea is to create a natural environment for inviting people to learn more about how the gospel can help them! This has turned out to be a huge success, last week we had about 50 people come out! 

A nice stroll in a nice evening 

A ghetto dacia pick-up filled with Romania's favorite veggie... onions!

Also, every first week of a new transfer, we have Missionary Leadership Council, where all of the leaders of the mission meet for a day to talk about how to improve the mission. We meet at the Hettinger's home and talk about the needs of our mission, what we can do to help our missionaries get more excited about the work, and how to do improve ourselves as leaders. We usually have a theme for the council, and this months was from chapter 9 of Preach my Gospel- Finding People! We had a lot of fun brainstorming ways to make finding more creative and fun. I really appreciate the Hettinger's love and committment to helping us as missionaries. Their love for the Savior and bringing God's children back to the fold is apparent. 

Dani and I

Reminded me of Brasil or something

So amidst hard work, zone contacting, activities, councils, I stay pretty busy as a zone leader! I have really enjoyed working closely with the other missionaries and learning from them. Each missionary is unique and is called to Romania for a specific reason. I have learned that missionary work is truly a collective effort. We are all working towards one thing- Inviting others come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! I am grateful that I have been assigned to serve in Romania. I love this country and the people in it! Being here has helped me in so many ways, through the difficult times and doubts the Lord is refining me and turning me into a ROCK! I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and that His gospel is the way to happiness in this life, and the next. My love for my family has increased 10 fold. I don't know why, but being gone has helped me realize how much I truly love and need them. Good thing we have got eternity! 

Informing our students that we will not be having English class

Right before he took a leak on the tree behind him...

Sora Leavitt teaching the young adults how to paint!

In other news, yesterday I gave a talk in sacrament meeting. It went really well! I talked about living with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. The spirit was there, and the Lord blessed me with the gift of tongues. We are working with several people, praying that they can continue to do the things that will give them the power to change! Reading the Book of Mormon and praying is essential to anyone's continual conversion.

Life is awesome, even if yesterday I had a gnarly fever and  had the chills! Come what may, and love it! 

This was in the heat of having the chills..

Love you guys!

Elder Ditto

Another orthodox church next to communism

Chilllin' with some Romanian dudes

Another random man...

Dinner at Borsalinos

Ioana.... a nice old lady that always stands next to the Mega Image next to our block

The real Bucharest

The original Arad group back together