Never really expected anything to happen when it came to traveling solo to Pitesti. Solely I was more worried about carrying around lots of baggage around on the train. I had help from the other missionaries and felt weird being by myself on a train for 2 hours. But I knew that everything will be ok because I had the holy ghost with me. Sitting in a train full of people made me think to myself this is an oppertunity to find the one on the train. I know that the train ride was going to be short because if I allowed myself just to speak with someone time surely does fly. I sat next to two construction worker looking dude and I overheard them talking about leaving Romania for work a bit in England but for the guy standing he said that he needed to learn English by August so that he can at least get by for working abroad. I intervined and I cut him off by telling him that we offer courses here and they are free. I guess I caught his attention with FREE english courses in Pitesti. He was really impressed and started asking questions about me and what I am doing here in Romania? Why am I even teaching English? That question I laughed at because I express to him that learning English is my second language too. I can only express to him its not easy learning a new language but I know that he can learn through mistakes and practice. Learning Romanian is still hard for me but I know through practice and praying for that gift of tongue daily comes in through time. He was nice enough to say that I speak very good Romanian but I know I have alot to learn. As people were leaving off the train, stop by stop, the fewer people it got inside. I realized that it was just me, him, and two ladies who moved near us and wanted to join in the conversation. The tables turned when he started asking me more questions about me and he noticed the pictures in bag of my family. Carrying pictures of my family proudly allowed to share with him of who I am and where I come from. I love having pictures of my family and friends. Its much easier for me to share and connect with the people here. One picture caught his attention and it was seeing all my family together for my cousins' graduation. He expressed how nice it must be to have a big family and see happiness in all our faces. I know that I expressed to him having a family like them is like no other. This gospel truly blesses families and it can also bless yours I told him. I was lucky to start from their and lean into the Restoration and his response was nice. He took it very well and we exchange numbers. He invited us to visit him. As I arrived to our destination, I realized the other elders weren't there because we arrived earlier then expected. Right away he carred my bag in his car and drove me to the elders apartment. Its' crazy to think that I would never meet people like him on a train going solo. He is a character funny dude and generous man who just appeared to show up on the same ride with me. Truly thankful to have met chill and funny like him.
My new companion is Elder Jardine from Lindon, Utah and from the same MTC group. So far we have had alot of calls all just in one day for English. Kind of annoying but funny too speaking with people when I feel like I just spoke with the same person 2 minutes ago. The city here is small which is really nice and alot hole in the wall restaurant. Other than that, hopefully everyone loved the result of Super Bowl sad I couldn't watch it. Its ok always next year tho. I hope that everyone is doing good and making changes.
Jah Bless'
Ofa Lahi Atu'
My new companion is Elder Jardine from Lindon, Utah and from the same MTC group. So far we have had alot of calls all just in one day for English. Kind of annoying but funny too speaking with people when I feel like I just spoke with the same person 2 minutes ago. The city here is small which is really nice and alot hole in the wall restaurant. Other than that, hopefully everyone loved the result of Super Bowl sad I couldn't watch it. Its ok always next year tho. I hope that everyone is doing good and making changes.
Jah Bless'
Ofa Lahi Atu'