Dearest Family

Salut!!

How is it going? It was great to read your letters this week. It is super fun to hear about the family and how things are going in the Western Hemisphere. I am continuing to get used to the office stuff. This past week, I have been busy calling the Romanian branch presidents and bugging them about a quarterly membership report they need to get to me. I have also been helping Elder and Sister Johnston, who are the humanitarian aid couple here in Romania, get everything organized for an expedition that will happen next week. Since the Danube recently flooded thousands of Romanian homes, we will be doing what we can, taking truckloads of water, food, hygeine kits, tents, and blankets. So, I have been calling people about buying blankets, water, tents, trucks, etc... while Elder Bart has been trying to get us enough money from Germany to do so. A busy week!

Health-wise, I am faring continually better. Today, we actually went to a picnic, where we played soccer, football, and frisbee with a bunch of the youth and other missionaries. It was a bunch of fun, but extremely exhausting. Not to mention the fact that, since the park was huge, we spent about an hour walking around both trying to find the place where we were to meet, and another hour trying to find a "faster" way back to our car. And after all of that, my body is still holding out.

As for driving, that continues to go well. I have now driven all five of the mission vehicles, and while it is still kind of tricky for me to work the stick of an unknown vehicle in parking lots, things are going really smoothly for the most part. An unfortunate consequence of driving and working in the office is the fact that I have, indeed, started to put the pounds back on. Unlike Grandma, however, I have no problems with the idea of coming home a tad skinier than when I started. Thus, I can hardly wait for the summer-time street contacting that will help that problem resolve itself. :) Also, we will soon be moving out of our apartment and into the AP's apartment. Once the move is done, we will begin block knocking after office hours, which will be a lot of fun! I really do miss the contact with people that I had more as a prosylyting missionary, and I am looking forward to being able to do both the administrative and the finding aspects of missionary work at the same time.

Sounds like things are going well on your end. Grandma told me about an Elder in Romania from the DC area, and I do, actually, know an Elder Sorenson from around there. He was in my District in Sector 4 of Buc when I was District Leader. He is a really neat guy, having just joined the church about a year and a half ago. He was taught by the sisters in the visitor's center of the Washington DC temple.

It is neat to hear about Courtney's thriving social life. I don't doubt that she is extremely popular and has just swarms of little girly friends flocking to her at all times. It is also really cool that she is doing so well at piano (even if she does just do that to spite me! :)

Again, no surprises with Belle and her eagerness to go to school. That is really cool that she was accepted to Nova Elementary. I have always heard that it is a good school, and that will, hopefully, be a good start for her.

Dad, keep going strong with the housing stuff. I know that you are probably the best guy who could be in that position; though it sounds like it can be pretty tough at times. I'm happy to hear that your job satisfaction has increased since going private, and I'm proud to have a Seminary Teacher dad whom, I'm sure, all of the youth either envy or brag about.

Mom, thank you for your wonderful letters. Good luck with RS pressures. If they are anything like they are over here, I am sure that you have your hands full, and, again, I can't think of anyone better for that position than you. As for picking me up, when you are beginning to finalize your travel plans, let me know and I will give you the contact info for the lady in charge of church travel, who will help you arrange everything. Otherwise, if you have your passports, there is nothing else to really worry about. You only need a visa if you are staying more than 30 days.

Speaking of which, this transfer week that is coming up will be super crazy for us. It will be around the second week in May. At that time, Elder Russell M. Nelson will be coming here to speak to both the missionaries and the members (his grandson, Elder Irion, just happens to be the AP; he is one of the best missionaries and nicest people that I know), and we will also have to process about 20 new and expiring visas. Visa processing is usually hectic with 5-8, but it will be super-insane with 20. So, we are also trying to gear up for that.

As for the package, if you could find some Italian Seasoning, that would be super good as well. I would also love some more Oscar Meyer bacon bits! Oh, and make sure that you DONT write the name of the mission, or the name of the church on any package that you send. You probably already know that, but just a reminder.

Well, I have to get going, but know that I love you more than ever, and I really appreciate your letters. I can't wait to hear from you again next week.

Love much,
Elder Walker