Re: Another week

Hello Family,

First of all, be sure to pass along my congratulations to the Mazzeo's for the new addition to the family. Brian having kids, Sarah getting married, Heather, Mybree and Celeste going to school; what's happened to the world in the last 6 months?

That's really neat to hear that the missionaries in our ward are so quality. I think that the Preach My Gospel program coupled with the strength of the upcoming generation and the new focus on strengthening and sustaining wards rather than just door knocking is really making a difference in the missionary work world-wide. I love how the work has progressed here, and it is very exciting to think about the long-term differences that we are this very moment making in people's lives. Indeed, this last week we have been keeping very busy, working a lot with members and less-actives.

Combining lessons with less active visits, we had 35 discussions taught. For here, that is pretty good, as Bucuresti is kind of a harder area both in regards to the people and to how spread out everything is. But, we still have much room to improve, and we are excited to do so. One neat thing that we have experienced as we work more and more with members is that the members have been really feeling the spirit working more powerfully in their lives, they have remembered the joys of conversion and have been sharing this with those around them.

One interesting experience this last week was meeting and befriending a down-on-his-luck homeless man who, though poor, is very sincere and open and just genuinely nice. We met him on the subway late one night on his way home from work, and he was just thrilled, I believe, that we had approached and talked to him. We have since had a couple of discussions with him, and he seems to be one who truly has been anchored in his life by a faith in Christ. Even though he lived in an abandoned car and works 72 hours a week, he has hope in God and regularly attends his orthodox church, which is more than most people here do. It is really inspiring to see.

We have also recently met with a friend of one of the members of the branch here who has decided to turn his life around. He was going to school about 20 years ago when he had a mental breakdown, and became socially paralysed. For a long time he has lived friendless, lonely, and without hope. He recently contacted one of his college friends, a member of the church, and agreed to attend the Sunday service. I had a long discussion with him, and he seems to be truly penitent and sincere in wanting to follow Christ to a better life.

More than anything, I have gained a testimony here of the changing power of the gospel. It is a force that really does have the power to help us gain happiness in this life and true hope for the life to come. Many people in the world believe that change is something of novels and fairy tales or at the most, it is for those who are young and have their lives yet ahead of them. While their certainly is an amount of truth to this. I have witnessed for myself that with God, anything truly is possible. Our world-view, through a more perfect faith in Him, can be changed, and with it the course of our lives, no matter our age.

I am so greatful to be a missionary here in Romania, and I know I will continue to be one for the rest of my life. I love you all very much. May God bless and keep you.

With much love,
Elder Walker