Anecdotes from Africa: Langosi and Pups!

Saturday:

Today has been a good winding down day. We started our first week with the official job chart rotation – so far so good! A few of us went to play basketball with the Romanians – yes, that was an experience. The places like in the movies where there is a caged in basketball court – yep we were there. And, you don’t even have to be good at basketball to play with the Romanians. In fact, you could be really bad and fit right in! Ashley and I went this morning to play with some branch members and their friends.

Then, later in the afternoon, the branch had a picnic. None of us quite knew where it was. We meet the elder’s at the Hala Centrala and they were supposed to show us where to go. Turns out, nobody quite new except President Popovici (the branch president, who is a wonderful man). We all started walking and eventually found a small green area on the side of the highway outside of Iasi. We walked quite a ways and I got some fatty blisters on my feet. No worries though – I’m sure they’ll heal right up with me having to wear my tennis shoes everyday.

(I’m definitely not used to wearing jeans, scrubs, t-shirts and running shoes everyday. I have had to wear a dress or slacks for the past 3 years at my work, so it’s a good break now!)

We had a great time with the branch, missionaries and investigators. I had a long talk with Sora Holden (Sora means sister), who is one of the sisters in the area. It was good to get her perspective on the missionary work here in Romania.

I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I look at these people and the sacrifices that they make to be members. Without worrying about the Sunday programs, the ward activities, the munch and mingles – it is good to see what the gospel is really about. These people – each of them have their own stories to tell. I have talked with a few of them about how they found the church, how their families have reacted to the church and heard about the joy that they have found through the gospel. I have learned so much just seeing their example and being with them for a little over a week. What tremendous examples they are to me.

We decided on our rooms tonight – where we will be working for the next few months. Elizabeth and I will be going to the apartments. They are actually outside of Iasi in a little town called Tomesti. (Pronounced Tomesht). We will wake up and take a bus everyday (a 15 minute ride) and each work in a different apartment. It will be exhausting, but so worth it.

The first time I saw those kids – I had this amazing connection with them. I felt like that’s where I needed to be. We won’t start until Tuesday, I think Monday we will be orienting at the orphanage (section 2) again.

Sunday:

Today we had church with the branch and we went to visit the botanical gardens. It was so pretty there! It is green everywhere and it is amazing weather! We have had a few rainy days (I won’t complain because I’m fully prepared with stylish galoshes!), but other than that, it has been perfect cardigan/sweater weather. Church in Romanian is definitely an experience. It is amazing that you can still feel the spirit so strongly and you can feel the members’ testimonies – even if you don’t understand them. Thank goodness we had the elders and sisters in RS and Sunday school to translate. In Sunday school, we had a lesson on Honesty from a wonderful sister in the branch who wears bright pink lipstick to church. At first, I thought how can you give an entire lesson on honesty? But as I sat with Roxanna and Aurelia (2 of the newly baptized members) – I realized that they were learning some of these things for the first time. I have taken for granted the knowledge and the truth I have been able to receive throughout my life. In Sunday school, I sat next to Roxanna. Let me tell you here story that she told me. She got baptized three months ago – she is about 37 years old. She lives with her mother to take care of her. She is trying to get to the United States. Right now, she is looking for a job and she just finished school not too long ago. Her mother has no idea she is a member of the church, and if she knew, would kick Roxanna out of the house. Her goal is to get back to the United States and get married in one of the temples there. She is such an optimistic, kind person and so full of life. She has had a hard life, but she is so happy because she found the gospel. Today, as I sat next to her, we were sharing scriptures. I brought a picture of the Provo Temple with me as my bookmark. It started to fall out. She grabbed it and looked back and me and said “Where is this?” I told her it was my temple in Provo. Then, I gave the card back to her and said she could have it. She grabbed my hand and kissed it and said “Thank you, thank you!” She is truly an amazing person.

First day at the apartments by myself and first day at the hospital. It was so amazing. I love these kids already. Mario and Teo didn’t want us going alone quite yet, so Elizebeth and I took the bus with one of the psychologists named Adrianna. She is a very quiet woman, but so kind and willing to help.

I work with Lily and Corina – the two workers. Lily is very kind and smiles a lot. She is older. Corina is a little bit more stern with the kids. She puts them in time out a lot – or atleast she did today. It’s hard because I don’t want to get the kids in trouble, but I’m not always sure what they get in trouble for. Hopefully this language will come along quicker. Today, Lily came back with Radu and Chiprian and I went to ask her if I could help her – she was changing them and getting them dressed. She looked at me a little confused, said something that I didn’t know, and so I just started dressing the kids. I realized tonight that rather than asking her if I could help her, I asked her if she would help me! No wonder she was confused!

Today, I came prepared with the basics to talk to a few of the kids. I know up, down, sit down, ball, throw the ball, come to me, give me a kiss, I love you, how are you, how old are you, bye, and can you help me (lol).

I did pretty well with just a few phrases. We played ring a round the rosies for about 30 minutes. I played train (which was a huge step because apparently Dede never shares or interacts with the other kids) with Dede and George and with this homely monkey doll forever! I got so dizzy, but they loved it and just laughed. We had major tickle fights, and I tried to play Peas, porridge hot with them – which they also loved. We only had one toy in the room – and I wasn’t sure if we were allowed to go in the other room. But hey, who needs toys. We danced, and sang lots of “la, la, las!” and you better believed we PLAYED! One of the kids didn't have his diaper on all the way and I definitely got peed on today too. Dede got up from my lap and I had a huge wet mark. No worries - I brought 3 sets of scrubs! Lesson learned -always listen to your mom - She made me buy 3 sets of scrubs instead of two! Good thing!

I read a book last year – “Raising children in a socially toxic environment” – and it talked all about what it is like to raise children in this generation and with the social problems they have to deal with. One of the things that the author emphasizes is free play and how important it is for children’s development. I completely agree. And yes, we love you fisher price, but you'd be amazed how much kids can be entertained without toys! Kids won’t ever get to be kids again. Let them wear cowboy boots and underwear. Let them make their pb and j sandwiches. Let them play in the mud. Let them build forts and fingerpaint – even if it means you have to clean up a mess!

(I know I say this now, and I’m sure my mom is thinking “Yeah, wait until you are a parent and have 3 of your own running around! But for now, I can say that right?!)

Well, off to another day tomorrow. I’m going to study language more on the bus and hopefully I won’t say ridiculous nonsense to the workers again!

Oh, and a sidenote…I found my weakness tonight. Langosi. (Langosh). Fried scone, rolled in powdered sugar with chocolate filling. It doesn’t help that I pass this bakery window everyday on the way to the bus stop, and every time we go to the villa for church or FHE. Talk about temptations! Langosi is a beautiful thing.

Sorry, I haven't posted pics for a while. These are a few of our adventures from last week.

Me and Petru waiting for everyone to shop in the Iulius Mall. He leaves on his mission to Spain in November. What a champ! You will notice he is slightly crazy!

Aurelia, Me, Roxanna and Ash on Saturday, playing basketball with a few of the branch members. Love Roxanna - she is a true romanian gem.

Don't you wanta...wanta Fanta? I've never seen so much Fanta in my life! This is at the branch picnic. President Popovici is in the back. He is so great!