The Best Two Years: Elder Alex Ditto: The Adventures Never Stop!

Hello hello!

Another crazy week here in Romania. I have had the coolest opportunity this transfer to travel a little more than usual because of Elder Welling and my responsibilities. We conducted a new missionary training as well as an exchange with the elders in Oradea.

Love these guys!

Oradea is beautiful

It was a blast from the past as almost two years ago I had barely been in the country when I made the journey to Oradea. It was there where I met Elder Trottier for the first time and got to experience the unique Hungarian-Romanian culture mix that is found in that city. Fast forward to now, and I returned as a changed man with a greater understanding of missionary work and increased love for the Romanian culture. I got to go on exchanges with the brand new missionary, Elder Seegmiller.

Elder Seegmiller and me

Vulturul Negru

What a privilege that was! We did a lot of good work, and it was cool reminisce of the early days of my mission, and to see the excitement of a new missionary for being a representative of Jesus Christ. Wow! What a cool chance this is. Two years of pure awesomeness. Elder Welling and I grabbed a massive, 400g kebab for 11 lei (2 dollars) and then sped to the aeroport where we caught our plane and arrived home at around 10:10pm.

The rest of the week was spent doing certain administrative stuff, counseling with the other assistants in Hungary about uniting our two countries as a mission, a talent show, driving to the aeroport, and most importantly teaching repentance! It has been a challenge to find enough time to do all of the proselyting and teaching that we would like, but we have been blessed to have opportunities to help people along their path as followers of Christ.

Eating @ American Grill... best burger I have had in Romania

We had a lesson with a long-time friend of ours, we first taught him in April, and today we talked about tithing. He had told us earlier that he had some issues about this commandment. As we listened and used the scriptures, I saw a confused and uncertain man become peaceful and full of confidence about this commandment from God. It was an incredible experience to witness the Holy Ghost work on this man's heart, who has a desire to follow Christ and be baptized.

We had the opportunity to help Oana with her project. She is creating a place for helping handicapped adults to engage in work and activity... something that is much needed in Romania

We also had a few discussions over the phone with Alin... this guys continues to amaze me at his love and desire to come closer to Jesus Christ. He is eighteen years old and supports himself by working two jobs, and unfortunately he works ten hours each day on Saturday and Sunday, which doesn't let him always come to church. We had a cool lesson with him via phone about the commandment of keeping the Sabbath day holy. At one point Elder Welling asked him to read a certain passage of scripture, but he misunderstood and read Mosiah 3:18... Alin then said, "guys, this is not a coincidence... God is speaking to me here!" What a tender mercy! Through the whispering of the spirit and Alin's pure intentions and desires to follow the Savior, he was able to come to a conclusion that it was best for him to quit his job now. He knows this is what God wants, but of course it is a difficult situation. We are fasting and praying for Alin. I have no doubt that he will be baptized soon. He is a force for good and will do so much to help the Lord's church grow here in Romania.

Both of these experiences helped me understand better how the Spirit works in the conversion of a searching and willing soul... that is the key! You must be willing! Without pure intentions and sincere heart, it is very heart to come to know the truth of the message of the Restored gospel. Alin's favorite verses are found in the last chapter of Moroni...

Moroni 10:4And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

I have seen the Book of Mormon change lives here in Romania. It has also changed mine. Reading it with a sincere heart and real intent will cause the Spirit to help you feel the truthfulness of its' teachings. Read it! Experiment upon its' words!