Hristos a Inviat!

Hey Family,

This entire week following Invierea (The Resurrection - which took place Saturday night at Midnight) people greet each other with the statement, "Hristos a Inviat!" (Christ Resurrected) The appropriate response is, "Adevarat a Inviat!" (Truly he was resurrected). It is kind of a cool tradition they have here which really turns people to Christ and makes Easter a really special time of the year here in Romania.

Thus, even though many people were very busy this week, we did have the really cool experience of giving away nine Book of Mormons and setting up seven return visits with families and individuals who promised to read and learn more about Christ and his restored gospel. One thing we have been doing recently is simply asking everybody we contact, on the street or in the blocks, if they have heard of the Book of Mormon. We then show them a copy and tell them that we have come all the way from the US just to give them a chance to receive a free copy of the book that they may receive the same peace and blessings that we have enjoyed. When approaching people like this, we have found that there are significantly fewer slammed doors and out of hand rejections, and those who do reject us are usually very appreciative nonetheless. It is really a cool experience to offer people on such simple and direct terms the chance to discover for themselves that God didn't stop talking shortly after the apostles deaths, but that he talks in these days as well, he continues to give us scripture, and we can talk directly with him to find out these truths for ourselves.

For Easter, which is both Saturday and Sunday here, we had a huge district feast at the church just for us four missionaries, since we were not allowed to be proselyting Saturday. We bought some beef, some steaks, pineapples, ice cream, onions, mushrooms, and some really good fruit juices. We then made a big barbecue where we cooked some delicious cheeseburgers, succulent steaks, and a sumptuous vegetable saute, all topped off with grilled pineapples and ice cream/sprite/fruit juice floats that we drank from the hollowed out husks. A true Easter feast! At midnight, we went to the Orthodox midnight mass where we lit candles, sang hymns, and generally felt really good to have a somewhat spiritual experience together with so many people of another faith.

Sunday, there were only four members at church, as the rest were all either out of town or slept in. Regardless, we had a very good, spiritual meeting. I actually really enjoy smaller meetings. I spoke in sacrament about the resurrection of Christ. I talked about how Christ's resurrection can be compared to the restoration of the church in this dispensation and about how, while is guarantees our resurrection from physical death, we must do our part in order to bring about our resurrection from spiritual death. I think it came off pretty well, though as always I feel the deepest learning was on my part as I prepared. I understand why President Ashby counsels branch presidents to give every active member a chance to teach in some capacity.

Well, there is only one more week in this transfer, which is sad. I really enjoy being with Elder Rigdon, and I think I will really miss him if one of us is transferred. I also really enjoy Bacau, but we will have to wait until next week to see whether I am staying here or not. Thanks for all of your love and support.

Love muchly,
Elder Walker