One of the many things we are really enjoying here in Romania is the definite seasons we experience. The winter was cold to us but mild according to most Romanians we talk to. But for Arizona folk it was a most pleasant experience, perhaps not one we would enjoy as much if we lived it every year.
Here is a nice calm but very cold day on the Black Sea. Just a dusting of snow on the sand. Nice because it is not unusual to have 20 to 30 mile an hour winds on our daily walks along this beach.
While walking on the Black Sea Beach on New Years day I saw this group of Marines, from the local U.S. military base here in Constanta, preparing for their annual polar bear dive. They all strip down to their swim suits and on command run into the sea and dive under the water. It was fun to watch, they charged into the water yelling at the top of their lungs until they hit about waist high and then, I'm sure I heard the sound change a full octave. They darted out and I have never seen any human being get dressed that fast. Actually it strengthened my sense of security, If they can operate that fast and efficiently in combat we are safe.
We thought you might like to see the change in the lake behind our Apartment as the season begins to change. Here is a picture of the lake completely frozen after an overnight snow. Way cool to us.
We were both fascinated with the circling effect seen here as the lake starts to melt. The lake is still completely frozen but changing daily
This is the picture of the lake taken just today off our balcony. All the ice is gone. The day is still and fairly clear with no wind so you see the lake as a lake of glass. Unusual because the high winds make it rough most of the time. I caught my beautiful missionary companion (lucky me) taking in the beautiful sight. We are fortunate indeed.
In this district of the mission we have four elder missionaries, two sister missionaries and one senior couple, you got it - nice talk for us old dudes. Well the elders decided they were going to cook dinner for the sisters and the seniors. We thought you might enjoy a glimpse into the always fun time you have when you are around these wonderful young people. They worked very hard and the meal was wonderful. Here is one of the elders whipping up the main course "Fajitas".
Here are two elders SERIOUSLY engaged in the art of fresh pineapple slicing.
Snap shot of the process
Here we are ready to reap the reward of their kind labors. It was a fun evening and the food was fantastic.
Now for a quick glimpse at the heart of real missionary work as so many see it. Here we are with two members of our little congregation walking to an appointment to teach the Gospel to a relative of one of the ladies showing us the way. We had a great time, this is what the young missionaries do all day long most every day. It is a treat for us because we get this chance much less frequently. These ladies are troopers. Its a good thing we are in reasonable shape because this walk turned out to be a 3 to 4 mile jaunt.
Without a doubt one of the most rewarding things on a mission is the people you meet along the way. We met this wonderful little family in one of the smaller villages outside Constanta. The photo is taken in front of their two room home. We were able to talk to them about our church and what it has to offer to families just like theirs. They were humble, kind and gracious as we have found most of the people we have met here.
This is a picture taken from the front door. The other room is behind the wooden door straight ahead.
The great reward of missionary work, and what we are really all about, is when someone accepts the message we have to offer and accepts Jesus Christ and His Restored Gospel. Here is a photo of the newest member of our church and the missionaries who taught him.
Here we are again right after the Baptism with fellow missionaries and some friends.
When transfers occur, every six weeks, we take all the new missionaries out to dinner. Its our way of welcoming the new missionaries who join us, and gives us an opportunity to get to know them. It is always such a fun time, and everyone enjoys a special night out. Here we are with our new group.
And now as we bid you goodbye for a while we thought we would share with you a glimpse of this beautiful country in which the Lord has called us to serve . We feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful opportunity to serve Him here. Below are four sunsets. These pictures were taken off the balcony of our apartment. We live on the second floor of our apartment building. Our balcony faces west and overlooks the lake you see in so many of our pictures. These sunsets are unique, at least to us, in that the sun is setting over a frozen lake and so the sunsets are reflected perfectly in the Lake below. We have beautiful sunsets in Arizona but rarely do we get to see their mirror image in the ice below. We hope you can get a feel for what we have grown to love so much. Enjoy with us please our beautiful Romania
Know that we are healthy and happy.
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