Last week was our first introduction to this wild flower/sunflower.  Now they are all over town in the                fields and uncultivated areas.  

See, no brown centers.

We are learning to do the new English program.  Unfortunately, Simona, who is 7 months pregnant decided she was too uncomfortable to be out and about and has decided she can't finish the course personally.  With the new program we can help her on line which is what she wants to do.  So in the mean time we have only Florin, again as our advanced student.

We also mentioned a couple weeks ago the Self Reliance class that we were planning to begin on the 17th.  We didn't have it with the district Pres. since he decided he couldn't make the 4.5 hr trip to over see the class when we couldn't promise a good turn out.  Our plan was to invite not only branch members but also English students and investigators.   Without his support we decided to go ahead and only do the class with branch members that want to start or grow a business.  We had 5 that were in that category so have now had three of the classes which will end two weeks before Christmas if all goes as planned.  I just keep forgetting to take a picture of the group.  It is quite stressful to facilitate with most speaking English but one that doesn't speak much.  The two languages really tires us out.  Fortunately we have English speakers that can translate for us when Ion speaks or doesn't understand some of the "English only" videos.

Not sure why they delete the "Ho" in hospital.  I guess cause it is Romanian and not English.

Passed this sign several times this week working on our Branch party.  We bought fabric and notions for our projects and the hospital is close to the fabric store.

Designed this invite for members, English students and investigator friends to attend our branch barbecue Sat. afternoon. The bottom says that the Relief Society will be learning to sew a scripture bag.  

French fries are a big deal here in Sibiu so we scoured the town looking for a reasonably priced frier.  Found this professional strainer at a restaurant supply store and this stainless pan under the sink at the church.  Worked quite well together to cook enough fries for the 20 who came to the party.

 Cami came early and helped cut out the 8 bags we planned to make.

Sora Lanuta (left) got a new job and can be more active now for which we are so happy.  She joined us for a few minutes but said she really didn't like to sew.  She decided the men needed help with the cooking for which they were happy for the help.  Other two ladies are a mother/daughter in beginning English.

 Elder Swafford taught these two sisters English in Bucharest.  They decided to come join our Relief Society and made themselves a scripture bag.  Cami and these two cut out the bags before learning to sew.

 Sora Alexandra brought her sewing machine so with mine we had two.  We had no idea who would come and were surprised we had eight ladies to make eight bags.  Only sora Armstrong and Chandler knew how to sew.

 We helped the two Bucharest sisters finish their bags.  The rest of the ladies live in Sibiu so can help them finish their bags at their convenience.

Elder's Swafford and Jerome came up to check on their Bucharest friends.  

Tom wearing one of the six aprons Rand had me make for the brethren who helped with food.  

 Some liked wearing an apron more than helping with the barbecue.  

 Sandu was in charge and likes to cook.  Fun to see how you put on a Romanian barbecue.  

 About 1/4 of the attendees were vegetarian so a tomato, cuke, onion and bell pepper salad along with mushrooms cooked with a dab of cheese in the center and zucchini sliced, spiced and toasted before serving was their fare.  The rest of us had mici burgers, a combination of spiced meets that come in a long shape but not incased like sausage.  We're kind of afraid to ask what of the beef and pork is in mici.

 Florin on the right set up the table and chairs outside.  He has been loosing 5 kilos a week for the last several weeks.  He has become quite committed to not eating meat.   Other two gentlemen are English students.

 Barbecue set up just off the kitchen beyond the cement slab that is the roof to the building garage.  Very nice area and the first time we've used it for any reason.

 Going to Deva again Sunday.  Tried again to get a photo of the Hollywood sign spelled Haliwuud if I can read it right up there on the mountain.

 Just want to remember the different seasons of the year as we head into fall.

 Not much left of the sun flowers but the black centers even more visible this time of year.  Sunflower seed oil is the prime oil used here in Romania.

Closer look at the large centers.  We're interested to learn how they are harvested and processed.

So glad that Arick, Danielle, Nicole and Natalie got to go together to the Women's Conference in SLC.  Hope all our other daughters were able to watch it live on Sat. evening.   I'm not going to leave a spiritual thought this week.  Instead I'm going to go watch the Conference with Rand who wants to watch it with me.  Maybe we'll report on it next week for our spiritual thought.