We celebrated a bunch more birthdays this past week.  Florin,  Sora Day and myself.  What fun to finally get the package Leslie sent me May 25th of 2016.  Why it took almost six months our proprietor couldn't explain.  She finally said, "that's Romania".  Is that the excuse for all things that don't make sense?

Cute octopus crochet by Kirsten, a bunch of fun letters from the Findlay grandkids and the day planner I needed last July.  I finally made my own which I'm going to be glad to replace.

 Cernats always want us to take a picture.  Their son, Ioan finally wrote us from his mission in Manchester UK to thank us for keeping in touch with his parents and for the birthday card we sent him from the Branch members.

 Christmas tree cinnamon role refreshments for FHE.  With no Thanksgiving to help hold off Christmas Romania has had Christmas stuff since the first of November.

 Our friend, Florin wanted us to come to his court case.  I didn't know cameras weren't allowed.  Lucky I didn't get in trouble.

 We all were there in support and hope that he can soon have visiting rights with his 6 year old daughter.

One pose with Florin and the other I am in.  

This block (apartment) we pass under on our way to the "Material, Textile and Notions" store.  One day a local told us this is where the army and police under Ceaușescu had a stand off and the black holes were bullet holes.  There is a whole section at the cemetery for those who died in 1989 revolution.

Sora Armstrong will be finished with her mission this coming week and really wanted to visit Alba Iulia.  Since there were some who had requested materials from the church we drove the Soras over with the two purposes in mind.

A rose given by a bronze statue

Enjoying the main walkway then down to the restaurant we've been to before.  The place was so empty but were pleasantly surprised that the restaurant was open.

Not sure we'd get to see Sora Armstrong again after we left for Oradia and district conference so we had this "Pose" taken.  We were notified later that she won't leave Sibiu till Monday so we'll get to say good-bye in person.

 Equidor not Arizonian "native american",  Rand always likes to visit with these men who know little Romanian but was happy to speak in English.  Centru is filled with Christmas shops selling everything from these items to all kinds of food and Christmas gifts.

 Friday we made it a point to be there for the lighting ceremony.  Projectors make all the buildings around Centru into a winter wonderland.

Everyone in town seemed to be there.  What a happy bunch of people.  

Then the music started.  Hope this movie works.  

 Sat. night this is who the leadership meeting included.  Pres. Ivory and Pres. Geambasu, Aradia Branch President and Arad branch leader & District counselor Pres.  Days,  District Relief Society presidency, Rand and I and the Craciuns that we brought up with us from Sibiu.  Sandu Craciun will be the branch president soon.  Our job was to groom him to be ready to take over.  

Dessert with raspberry and surprise, a fig for garnish on the side.  

Sora day and I have birthdays one day apart.

 President Ivory's son, Ellis who is expected to travel with his parents to a lot of boring meetings and has learned to entertain himself tackling the elders as you can see, stealing their name tags for something fun to do.  Sound fun Jasper and Hugh?  He is 13 too.

We were almost late Sat. night getting from our hotel to the church so Sunday morning we got up early and walked the 1/2 mile to figure out how to get onto the one way road that passes by the church.  

GPS wanted us to drive down the walk way.  We had the same problem in Iasi.  Someone forgot to tell the satellite when they convert a road into a walk way.

The Oradia church building probably seats the most in it's chapel than any of the other rented churches but it only has one floor and not many classrooms.  Not sure how they have three English classes going on at the same time the way we do in Sibiu.

We thought the heat had been left on in the church it got so warm.  On the way home we checked the weather.  We hope to get this type of weather for the next while.

President Hinckley said.  "you have as great an opportunity for satisfaction in the performance of your duty as I do in mine.  The progress of this work will be determined by our joint efforts.  whatever your calling, it is as fraught with the same kind of opportunity to accomplish good as is mine.  What is really important is that this is the work of the Master.  Our work is to go about doing good as did He"           "This is the work of the Master, Ensign, May 1995, 71