An Apostle Visits Romania
This past week and a half has been a busy and very inspirational time for us, our missionaries and the members. It’s rare that you get one of the twelve apostles to visit your mission and even rarer yet for them to spend almost eight days with you! Elder D. Todd Chritofferson and his wife, Kathy, came to Romania and stayed with us in the mission home. Our schedule was very busy but one that exposed a lot of people to the teaching and testimony of one of the Savior’s special witnesses…a blessing that will be felt for a long time to come.
On the weekend of April 19th and 20th, the Christofferson’s presided at and attended the Bucharest District Conference. The Panduri building was full to the brim with people. Members listened to counsel from President Ashby, one of our area seventy, Elder Gorts, Sister Christofferson and then Elder Christofferson. A very special part of his talk was when he left an apostolic blessing on the members in Romania. There were quite a few tears shed. After the conference meeting on Sunday, Elder Christofferson held a question and answer meeting for all of the YSA. The young adults asked questions ranging from how he felt being called as an apostle to Word of Wisdom issues. Elder Christofferson has a quiet sense of humor and a humble manner when speaking. The youth loved him and would have continued with their questions all day if allowed.
On Monday the 21st, we held zone conference for the missionaries in the Bucharest zones and the Brasov zone. Elder Christofferson spent a few minutes teaching and then asked the missionaries for their questions. He referred them to Heb. 13:17 and told them that a Mission President watches over the souls of his missionaries. He said that this is no accident. The Lord intended that these missionaries would be with this mission president at this time. He told them that they would learn from President Ashby what they need to know at this time and in this place. The same goes for the couples. He also referred them to D&C 6: 9 and to D&C 18:10-15. He taught how we must have pure hearts and clean hands and be willing to let go of everything and lay ourselves on the altar of Christ and completely change whatever we need to change in order to fully submit ourselves to Him.
Well, he taught us much and then gave the missionaries time to answer all kinds of questions relating to missionary work….how to have the faith to find the elect……study time……discouragement……loving those who are rude…..etc. Once he started to answer a question it seemed as though he could teach for hours on just that one question. We learned a lot and everyone of us left with gratitude and humility over the sacred callings we hold.
Later in the afternoon we took a few minutes to show the Christofferson’s the “People’s Palace”, which is the second largest building in the world. After a short tour there we took them to the Peasant’s Museum to see some of the culture in Romania.Tuesday morning we left early, loaded the big van and headed out for Moldova. We had to get there for a fireside with the Branch members that evening and zone conference on Wednesday morning. The Assistants, Elders Jepson and Linsenmeyer followed us. They were our official “body guards”! On the way we picked up Elder and Sora Hanson in Ploiesti who traveled with us to Chisinau.
It took us about 9 hours to get to Moldova! The scenry was gorgeous and it was a beautiful drive but we were happy when we arrived. About half-way there we stopped at a village well for a rest and a little snack.
That night we held a fireside for the members and the Vila chapel was stuffed with members and investigators. The spirit was powerful and Elder Christofferson talked about how we must endure our trials and love all people as the Savior loves us. If we do this we open ourselves up so the Lord can bless us…and he will! Again, he left a powerful apostolic blessing on the people in Moldova and the members living here. Afterward he shook everyone’s hand and patiently allowed them to take photographs and speak with him. The spirit was very strong and the people here will also remember this night for a long time to come.
That night, when we arrived back in Bucharest, Sora Larson and Sora Betham fixed us a lovely dinner. We were so grateful for that!
On Thursday morning we got up Way Early and flew to Arad for another zone conference and Fireside.
Our Zone Conference was held Thursday morning with the missionaries serving in Arad, Oradea, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara and Deva. That evening we held a fireside in the National Theatre, a beautiful building that had a room big enough to hold the 125 people who attended. Again, the spirit was powerful and this was a very touching time for all of us.
Early on Friday morning we drove to Timisoara where the Christofferson’s caught a plane to London and their next assignment. We caught a plane back to Bucharest and immediately got working on Tranfer board---- this coming week is transfers, AGAIN!
This was a very special week for our mission and one we wanted to share with you!
Elder Christofferson said that if he lived to be 97 (like President Hinckley did) he would visit again for sure! But, for now, Goodby Romania!
On the weekend of April 19th and 20th, the Christofferson’s presided at and attended the Bucharest District Conference. The Panduri building was full to the brim with people. Members listened to counsel from President Ashby, one of our area seventy, Elder Gorts, Sister Christofferson and then Elder Christofferson. A very special part of his talk was when he left an apostolic blessing on the members in Romania. There were quite a few tears shed. After the conference meeting on Sunday, Elder Christofferson held a question and answer meeting for all of the YSA. The young adults asked questions ranging from how he felt being called as an apostle to Word of Wisdom issues. Elder Christofferson has a quiet sense of humor and a humble manner when speaking. The youth loved him and would have continued with their questions all day if allowed.
On Monday the 21st, we held zone conference for the missionaries in the Bucharest zones and the Brasov zone. Elder Christofferson spent a few minutes teaching and then asked the missionaries for their questions. He referred them to Heb. 13:17 and told them that a Mission President watches over the souls of his missionaries. He said that this is no accident. The Lord intended that these missionaries would be with this mission president at this time. He told them that they would learn from President Ashby what they need to know at this time and in this place. The same goes for the couples. He also referred them to D&C 6: 9 and to D&C 18:10-15. He taught how we must have pure hearts and clean hands and be willing to let go of everything and lay ourselves on the altar of Christ and completely change whatever we need to change in order to fully submit ourselves to Him.
Well, he taught us much and then gave the missionaries time to answer all kinds of questions relating to missionary work….how to have the faith to find the elect……study time……discouragement……loving those who are rude…..etc. Once he started to answer a question it seemed as though he could teach for hours on just that one question. We learned a lot and everyone of us left with gratitude and humility over the sacred callings we hold.
Later in the afternoon we took a few minutes to show the Christofferson’s the “People’s Palace”, which is the second largest building in the world. After a short tour there we took them to the Peasant’s Museum to see some of the culture in Romania.Tuesday morning we left early, loaded the big van and headed out for Moldova. We had to get there for a fireside with the Branch members that evening and zone conference on Wednesday morning. The Assistants, Elders Jepson and Linsenmeyer followed us. They were our official “body guards”! On the way we picked up Elder and Sora Hanson in Ploiesti who traveled with us to Chisinau.
It took us about 9 hours to get to Moldova! The scenry was gorgeous and it was a beautiful drive but we were happy when we arrived. About half-way there we stopped at a village well for a rest and a little snack.
That night we held a fireside for the members and the Vila chapel was stuffed with members and investigators. The spirit was powerful and Elder Christofferson talked about how we must endure our trials and love all people as the Savior loves us. If we do this we open ourselves up so the Lord can bless us…and he will! Again, he left a powerful apostolic blessing on the people in Moldova and the members living here. Afterward he shook everyone’s hand and patiently allowed them to take photographs and speak with him. The spirit was very strong and the people here will also remember this night for a long time to come.
That night, when we arrived back in Bucharest, Sora Larson and Sora Betham fixed us a lovely dinner. We were so grateful for that!
On Thursday morning we got up Way Early and flew to Arad for another zone conference and Fireside.
Our Zone Conference was held Thursday morning with the missionaries serving in Arad, Oradea, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara and Deva. That evening we held a fireside in the National Theatre, a beautiful building that had a room big enough to hold the 125 people who attended. Again, the spirit was powerful and this was a very touching time for all of us.
Early on Friday morning we drove to Timisoara where the Christofferson’s caught a plane to London and their next assignment. We caught a plane back to Bucharest and immediately got working on Tranfer board---- this coming week is transfers, AGAIN!
This was a very special week for our mission and one we wanted to share with you!
Elder Christofferson said that if he lived to be 97 (like President Hinckley did) he would visit again for sure! But, for now, Goodby Romania!
posted by Grandma Chubby | 7:07 AM
6 Comments:
WOW what a wonderful experience! Thanks for sharing it with us. I am going to ask the members we write to let us know if they met Elder Christofferson and how they felt.
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We love seeing our Missionary Elder Manzione. We can tell he is having some wonderful experiences. What a lovely country.
Virginia Manziones
We love your blog. We are so excited to see our cousin, nephew and grandson Elder Manzione. He is truly having some wonderful experiences. His young cousins love looking at the pictures of Romania, what a lovely place. Aunt Mary and Grandma Joan,
Brynne, Sophia and Margeaux
It was fun to see my daughter in one of your pictures. Kristi told me in her last e-mail to look this blog up. my e-mail is my middle and maiden name, I'm Darlene Peterson and my daughter is Sora Kristi Peterson. she tells us that she is loving her mission. Thanks for being so good with all the missionaries in Romania. Bye.
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