Sunday, December 18, 2011

Christmas in Arad















First Christmas (Cracuin in Romanian) away from home is a completely new experience; traditions, family, entertaining and friendships renewed through cards and greetings are thousands of miles away. However the birth of Christ is the focus and we have been able to feel of that spirit in our humble home and with our branch members.
Dec. 1 in Romania is big celebration as it is their Revolution Day. Three days of entertainment in Centru----parades of tanks and military and 40 shops set up selling all kinds of food and goods celebrating over 20 years of freedom. We had quite a day of it as we were invited to attend a "pig celebration" at the home of our proprietor. This time we got to see the entire pig in all parts and pieces they had cut up, ground, and were making sausage and other delicacies not wasting a single part. The "celebration" comes when all it done and each item is cooked, fried and "sampled". We "sampled" it all! What an experience! Elder McFadden got to chew some pig skin and we both had a hard time with the 4 inch thick slab of jowl and throat fat. This is their meat for the entire winter and they really have the process down. When we returned home later that evening the live entertainment was still going and we were excited to see Romanian dancers, musicians and singing. We also got to sample our first "Kurtockalacs" which were soooooo yummy. As we walked by it reminded us of the aroma you sense when you walk thru the Mall and smell the roasting nuts they sell at ChristTimisoara Nordmastime. Kurtockalacs are a type of bread dough wound around a 3" in diameter wooden skewer then roasted over coals until brown then coated with a coating of sugar and nuts. When you pull it off to eat it, it comes off like a slinky. Elder McFadden was so taken by this new and exciting food product that he had to research it and then search Arad until he found and purchased 2 skewers. Look out St. George as you are in for a super treat when we get home. The events go on as the Day of Revolution ended with fireworks and WA LA the next day they had a gigantic Christmas tree and were putting lights and decos everywhere. Each night English Christmas Carols are being played over the loud speaker and the entertainment and food booths with traditional food and goodies are there for our sampling which we have enjoyed very much. There are Christmas tree lots, lights in windows, live creche, and stenciled fake snow images sprayed on windows. They seem to know how to celebrate.
Christmas Zone parties are going on for the missionaries through the country and we hosted 1 of 3 in the mission covering 2 zones. Elder McFadden was in his element as we prepared food and party for 38 at the church. The Elders and Sisters came from 4 cities by train, maxi taxi and bus arriving at the party at 3:00 and going until 9:30 that evening. Our Mission President and his wife came as well. We spent DAYS gathering product and cooking. Sora McFadden made goodie bags for each one; it was very fun to see the Elders and Sisters gathered and having so much fun together. The Mission van arrived filled with packages that came in from Bucharest. There was even some for the McFadden's!! Thank you all so much for the packages and letters, we can't wait to open them on Christmas.
Our branch Cracuin Saratori will be this week featuring a nativity narration and singing--we are building a stable this week---sounds complicated, but we have limited resources so we will improvise and make it work. Can't wait to sample the Saramalies that the sorias in the branch make for the party!
Saturday the city sponsored a Santa Run; which was 3 km around downtown and the first 200 to be there got santa suits to wear. The 2 elders, 2 sisters and 2 YSA all ran while we watched over their belongings and took pictures. It was a hoot to see all these "Santas" running, last year one of the Elders won a 1200 lei prize and donated it back to the shelter. Our elders didn't do as well this year...it was SOOO cold.
We just returned from a concert put on in the Cultural Palace behind the Pri Maria which is that beautiful white building you keep seeing, it is the City Hall and all things revolve around it in the heart of the city. The concert was very impressive especially for a high school. They had a full chorus, orchestra and brass ensemble. One of our YSA girls was performing so it was fun to see her as well. I kept pinching myself saying, "Can you beleive you really are sitting here in Romania at this moment enjoying this beautiful music?" No, still can't quite comprehend it all as each day brings new adventures and experiences and closer to our Father in Heaven as we see the need for more converts and strength in members; it is still all so new to them, but we are making progress and they are sweet people.
We love hearing from you.... and LOVE you............ emails are great!
Fericite Cracuin....tu iubim
Elder and Sora McFadden
P. S. Don't know how that print got on top of the pics, but I don't know how to fix it!!!! Sorry

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Giving Thanks in Romania

Thanksgiving is our ultimate favorite holiday and we will be having a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner with Elders and Sisters squeezing around our small table to give thanks, eat and play a few games. We found a pumpkin at the piata, came home and cooked it up for Dave to make pumpkin pie....can't wait. Finding the spices we need for this special occasion has taken a bit of footwork and guessing at the stores, but we think we are about there. As far as the turkey goes, they are way too expensive and look like the wild ones. A big chick will be fine! We have such yummy bakeries that they are making the rolls this time! These little pasteries shops are located along the streets and bake fresh all day long. They have the filo dough goodies down really well. It could be one with meat or cheese or something sweet and delicious, but hot out of the oven is great on these cold days. My favorite is sweet cheese wrapped with filo dough and Kelly instructed me to eat one a day to try and gain some of the weight back that I have lost! We will have an update on Thanksgiving after we celebrate. For now we are trying to hold off the Christmas music as they are starting to celebrate already. The lights are up in downtown Centru and staging for booths and other entertainment are getting built and the stores are full of decorations and goodies.

We have, of course, become very attached to the Elders and Sisters here in Arad and have had them in our home for dinner and district meetings often. We will be going through withdrawal this week as one of the zone leaders goes home and we get a new set of Elders and a new Sister. I have to say they are doing a fine job here in working with the members, inactives and bringing new ones into discussions. Very dedicated and hard working and sooo loving and kind.

Something that has come to be a great form of communication is mail. Yes, we actually have a "Post" and you can view the pic....had no idea what that beat up red thing on the street was until we had been here for a few months! Our address is:
Rosemary and Dave McFadden
Str. Simion Balint
Nr. 7 BL B Sc B Ap 3
Arad, Romania 310019

I also included a pic of the essentials we do not leave home without as we have quite a lock system here. Three deadbolts fall into place on the bottom of the doorjam when we lock to leave and these gigantic keys are turned three times to unlock. We seriously doubt anyone will ever break in! And the cell phone.....had to relearn how to use this old time baby! But we are grateful for it keeping us in touch all over the country.

Had our first delicious Romanian dinner last week as a surprise to us. We had to go to a village called Curtichi about 20 min. away to pay our proprietor our rent and they invited us in. Wow! They raise everything...animals, garden the works and everything had been harvested and cured for winter storage. Asked if we would like a drink we said yes.....it ended up being hot chocolate as the other choices were not allowed! The Mothers of the husband and wife were in the kitchen cooking up a storm and we found ourselves treated to the most delicious food in 4 courses. We were planning on leaving after each one, but it just kept coming. All prepared there from their property. It was such a treat and one we had not expected. Very nice visit with traditional set-up of married children and parents living in same place, Grandmothers taking care of little one and doing cooking and gardening and all else. The Mom is a doctor and her husband has a little business. Delightful people that spoke fairly good English....how refreshing for us. Came home stuffed with unusual and delicious food. The meats have various parts of the animal we do not usually consider eating, but it was all tasty. Didn't have my camera with me.....bummer!

Our Branch seems to be progressing, we were so encouraged to see more saints coming and our Young Adults had a conference in Hungary this weekend. One small step at a time we keep telling ourselves.

We send our love, and again ask for your prayers in behalf of this " so very new in the gospel" country. Thank you from our humble hearts for your packages (that eventually get here) your letters and the treasured memories of each of you. Thank you for watching over Jamie & Tyler and our home. And thank you for being such great examples to us.

Iubim sa atunci
Elder and Sora McFadden

Monday, October 31, 2011

Beautiful Fall in Arad for Missionaires McFadden













After having the Elders and Sisters over for a Halloween Dinner of chicken taco soup (thanks Kelly for the wonderful seasoning!!!!) and fruit crepes that Dave made, we went for a walk to Centru and took some pics that may give you an idea of "downtown" at night on a nice Fall evening. The building with Sora McFadden in front is the Theatre. It is a landmark building right in the center of the main road...(the TranVias and roads go around it! ) It was built in 1848 housing a large performance stage with 4 tiers of loges and a small theatre in the round. On Sat. Evening we saw the performance "Cererein Casatorii" which was very good and we actually understood most of it. This theatre is very large and has ornate interior...very fun!
Do they celebrate Halloween in Romania? It is catching on a little, not much for the costume thing, but pumpkin carving and hats which we did with our YSA group on Friday evening. We got pumpkins from the piata and decorated the place with beautiful fall leaves that I gathered and had Romanian and Hungarian music. One of the gals showed us the dances and brought along 4 guys that could dance as well. We had food and rocked out at the villa while the Mission President was interviewing missionaries on the bottom floor. Good times.
The care packages have come at such a time as to lift us in such a way that we "carry on" ....the trick or treat candy package came for Halloween, but was actually for Dave's Birthday. Things are a little slow.....the one from 4th ward Y W has quite a story behind it as it was sent to Arad and it is unusually difficult to get a package here. Took two Romanians to help us figure where to pick it up, then after showing passport and other ID they opened it before they would release it to us. But, so worth the effort of going clear across Arad to find the Post as this "TREASURE" from B H 4th ward YW brought tears and joy and such appreciation for the efforts and love that was put into that very treasured book. Thank you girls so very much.
We had District Conference a week ago which includes 4 cities. People come by train, bus and walking to attend and we got a real surprise. As we were walking in, the mission pres. grabbed Elder McFadden and asked him if he would serve as District Clerk! Now that is a challenge as none of the branch presidents speak English and the records are in Romanian. We have to scan reports and get lei (money) back to those who have had expenditures. Our branch president was also changed and our new one doesn't speak any English. Puts a whole new curve on things for us. We do understand a bit, but speaking is still not there, but we are getting along with words and some understanding. Elder McFadden gave the lesson, with the help of the Elders to translate, on using the Priesthood and giving blessings. They were all so excited to learn how to give blessings and to receive the consecrated oil and vials that we had obtained from the Mission Headquarters. (Can't just run over to Deseret Book) This whole process took us several weeks to put into place, but another step for our branch. We have some very dedicated and good people and the new Branch Pres. is trying so hard to do the right thing which he kinda has to figure out with our help as he has no Handbook in Romanian yet. So much to do a baby step at a time. But this little "ember" will grow and the church will be strong in Romanian as was promised through the apostle that dedicated this land in 1989.
We wouldn't be telling the truth if we indicated that we don't miss you at all! Our prayers are getting so long as we have so many to remember and so many "tender mercies" to be thankful for that have come to us through a loving Heavenly Father. We are grateful for Him and the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We have good neighbors and we are trying to let them see the light of Christ through us. They are dear people and we love trying our Roanian out when we see them.
Although our "set back in time" shock has worn off we are still in awe of the differences and yet the modern Romania turns up as we stroll around Centru and see the businessmen and very chic women and young people and the string of high end cars. We decided we live in a nicer neighborhood than we realized. It is still difficult to shop for specific things like baking items and the measurements which are more guestimates and the weights and measures and understanding their fast paced words as they tell us how much the price is. It is still a kick to go to the piata almost everyday and get the "local stuff". For those of you who know our passion for creches should be as excited as we are as we found a beautiful Romanian made creche and the storekeeper said it was made in St. George. "What"? "Yes the region in the center of the country called St. George" Goin' back to buy that one for sure!
Stay in touch dear friends and family...and could we ask you to remember these people of Romania in your prayers?
Multimesc and ladavedera,
Elder and Sora McFadden

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Romanian Senior Missionaries Retreat and more













So much to tell and so little time and space! A bright spot in our day was when the Sisters Heart Attacked our door..... so fun. You know by now that we walk a great deal to go anywhere and everywhere; so our assignment for apartment checks in Oredea and Timesoara took us on new adventures. We ventured out to the ticket office and bought train tix to both places and loaded up a little food as you have to take all your food and water and lug it around with you on train trips. When you arrive at the "gara" (train station) after you find the linal you are on you just walk across all the train tracks in the rocks and dirt to get to the right vagon. After our 3 hr. train ride we met the Elders in Oredea who helped us navigate buses and walking to find their apt. Then we were on our own to walk across the city to catch our train back to Arad. The trains stop in small villages and pick up people quite often or stop to let another train pass. Lonnnnng day!
We now share a car with the Elders, but only drive when we have to go to another city. Our first drive was on Oct. 5 leaving for a Seniors Retreat in Brasov which is about 8 hours away. We broke up the trip by staying in Sibiu for a night; I had maps in hand and Dave did a great job of driving. Sometimes the names of the streets are on the sides of buildings; sometimes not or old and can't read! All roads lead to Centru in the cities which is the middle, then you have to find your way back out! We have a royal blue Skoda; license plates 100 LDS the other cars of the couples are the same color but different LDS #'s. There were 9 couples from across Romania gathered including our Mission President and his wife. As we toured, the blue LDS line of Skodas trying to caraan was pretty funny. In Brasov we toured the Biscerica Negera which is massive and was burned on the outside not affecting the inside which was old and incredible. The restaurant where we had dinner at Centru took about 3 hours. We found this was the norm for fine dining in the evening. We had fun and interesting food at these places; their presentations of the food are enchantingly delightful. We had our work meetings at the little church which is actually a branch next to our wonderfully modern and plush hotel. We went to visit Peles Castle in Sinia which is tauted as the most beautiful castle in all of Europe. We all voted that way; so picturesque against the Fall colors and pine trees and rolling landscape leading up the cobblestone road. It is still used today by the king of Ramania. We felt so spoiled to have a bathtub---no a jacuzzi! and a comfy bed with carpets and yummy beautiful breakfasts. The next day was a trip to Poiana, a ski resort in the mountains; we ate dinner there in a big fantastic German Restaurant with a big cozy fire and rustic decor. Another 3 hour meal in this beautiful place and the warmth was great as it had turned very cold. Oh am I homesick!!! We went to church on Sunday and left for "home" staying again in Sibiu for a break. We had snow and realized that Fall and Winter had really hit as we got home to our very cold apt. They turn on the heat sometime in Nov. as we are in a bloc and they turn it all on at once without notice. We have no control over the heat, so right now we put on just about as many layers as possible and try to keep warm. Back to the real world and work here in Arad in our humble place.
Let us express our love and thanks to you all for your prayers and thoughts. There is a great deal of work to do here in Romania. Until next post.......Iubim from Elder and Sora McFadden

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Arad has so many things if you can find them!























We are thinking that the all time question would be: Have you played pickleball in Romania yet! Okay we have some breaking news for you......ready? "Da" Not duh.... da in Romanian means yes. So we were out on a very long walk trying to familiarize ourselves with a part of the city we hadn't yet been in and just before a bridge to the river we look down and there it is... an old recreation area with a court for badmitten all marked closely to pickleball. We go over and sure enough it would work. Didn't know if it was public or not, so we just happen to see our branch pres. on the way and he said it was public. So on Monday which is P-day, we took the elders and sisters, strung a piece of plastic marking tape we found along the trench across and though a bit primitive, we had a ball. Should say P-ball of a time. We loved it. Felt so good to sweat a little and wear something besides a dress!

On to our YSA which we are getting to know will take a long time for them to have our trust as we understand it. They tell us they will be there, but mostly don't. It will come, as we try to get to know them. Such heart breaking stories of their lives, yet they are members and we need to nurture them. We walk for hours to the church and take food not knowing if one or two or more will be there. The area institute director from Hungary met with us and they want the institute lessons taught in Romanian. So that puts us out of the pic on that one. We will still be there with a meal for whoever comes.

We have beautiful Fall days and the bounty of the harvest is evident. Especially at the piata. Can't beleive all the local venders and how they come each day and stay all day at the tables selling their products. We have been searching and searching for product for this Zone Conf. dinner that Elder McFaddden is cooking. ( Funny thing, Dad can't remember to call me Sora McFadden and blurts out "Rosie" all the time! ) They wanted burritos. Well they don't do Mexican food here, nor do they have the spices, but he has been very creative and borrowed pots and pans and trays from anyone we know. You have no idea how tiny our kitchen is and what a challenge this is. Right now our frig is FULL of cooked beans and product and we haven't got it all yet.
Each hour of the day is a challenge..we love our Father in Heaven and have found that we need to grow in so many ways to serve here... just figuring out who and how to pay for our electricity, water and gas and internet is baffling. We are on it though..when they come around to read the water meter, we pracically have to stand on our heads under the sinks and get the numbers for them, hot and cold. Some days we don't have hot though!

One thing I love about Sunday is when the one who can play a little piano isn't there and I get to play as we can't understand a thing they say for 3 hours! But oh how they love to sing. For Sunday school and all.
Know that we love you and you are in our prayers and we feel yours. Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy the piata pics.
Tu iubim, Sora and Elder McFadden

Sunday, September 11, 2011

What's New in Arad


This is a pic of the entrance into our flat which is gratefully on the ground floor. There is a grape arbor over the entrance and curtains in the entry which makes it quite nice. We walk everywhere and the grocery bags get rather heavy especially as we are feeding the 2 Elders and 2 Sisters often. Church is a 25 min. walk and grocery store is 20 min. We have learned how to use the TranVa and it is tricky....just walking and looking and familiarizing and searching for places and things.

We have been doing the activities and teaching for YSA and met with district councilor today. There are several in the leadership who speak English. We just hug and love the members as we don't know what they are saying to us unless someone intreprets for us. They all give a kiss on each side of the face..... We can understand words as they speak and give lessons but no enough to get it all together.

Shopping has been a revelation in how different things are...pounds, of course does not exist. We take a dictionary with us and search and search for things as items are not placed as we do in our stores. Everything we attempt to do takes 5 times longer than we are accustomed. The piata is close to us and has locally grown produce and lots of other things. I have to tell you that Dave stands out like a lightbulb in his clean white shirt and tie. Everyone looks at us and either doesn't want to make eye contact or their eyes go straight to our missionary badges which we wear all the time. Another thing we wear all the time is our "pouch". Dave has one that attaches to his belt and is worn inside just below the waist; mine is attached by a shoelace type drawstring which is worn around my waist and hangs between my hips and tummy. Makes the straight skirts look rather ridiculous, but these contain our passports, driver's license, leu, us dollars (for emergencies) and ATM cards. We were instructed to wear them at all times. A few days ago as we were walking to the church (which is called the Villa because it is one) we saw beside us a gypsy cart pulled by a horse and further down the street a herd of turkeys under an old truck. We nearly jumped to the moon as we were walking home almost dark the other night and a big dog attacked the screen that was just my head height with all his bark and might. We can get homemade pretzels which are quite good at the little markets and even soft serve ice cream cones that are delicious. We spend hours and hours each day studying the language; sometimes we think we have words and phrases down until we try them out on a Ramanian and they let us know better. They are very proud of their language and will not let you have a hair of pronounciation wrong or congujation for that matter. We are still trying to "hear" the language and are making progress. We have a neighbor who speaks a little English..and one who is so sweet, but just blabbers on in Romanian like we can understand her. She is nice as well. This is getting long, so we will catch us next week.
Ma bucur aici

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Bucharest to Arad

Okay that took me by surprise! Went to post this blog and it was all in Romanian!!!! I have heard about computers adjusting to your location, but come on my Romanishte OR yours is not that good right now! Long 31 hour flight, we were so glad to see two elders who helped us lug 6 suitcases to the mission van. No rest, off to be processed for visas via walking in downtown Bucharest which is about 2 million. Next "physicals" for visa and to the park where Russell Nelson dedicated the land of Romania for missionary work in 1990. Read the didicatory prayer in beautiful setting; sweating. Back to mission home for instruction and then off to the train station for adventure to start. Just picture back about 50 years to the old and broken down everything. They did get us a sleeping car which took us 14 hours through the Carparthian Mountains which we did not see as we were listening to clackety clack of railroad and train whistles...kinda like out of the old movies you all have seen. Arriving in Arad 2 hours late once again the Elders were there, however no car. Had to get two taxis' to get us to the Elders flat as we had to meet with our proprietor. She agreed (can't imagine her doing that the way we looked after our overnight experience!) So we had to go back and get all those bags and drag them along the broken up "sidewalk" about a mile to our new Home. We were quite a spectacle. Dropped baggage off and tried to think of what we needed to have food and bedding purchased to live! Whoa ..what an adventure. Still very little sleep and jet lag sets in, no one speaks like us and we cannot communicate with anyone!
We unpacked and realized we need many things, but we are on foot and the store is far away so we just crashed. Now we have had a few days to get our feet on the ground....literally! Went to find a store yesterday and got the name wrong...walked for hours and finally got a cab. Interesting shopping when you do not know anything on the labels! Oh this is an adventure for sure, but our home is quite nice camparatively speaking. We are challenged every minute and out of comfort level most of the time, but we press on and know we are on the Lord's errand...oh he hears from us a lot!
Went to chrurch for first time today. Nice saints, very small; we found out we are now responsible for YSA in area as well as leadeship training in Branch. Back to entertaining and cooking and activities! Out of this "kitchen" !!!! We will make it work.
Thanks for all your love and support, we love you all and are spending hours each day working on this language that sounds so different as they have a dialect here near the Bulgarian border!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

The MTC: Our adventure begins

As we pulled out of the driveway Rosemary had Dave stop for a "Canon" moment before heading up the freeway and on to Provo; destination M T C . As we neared we realized something was dramatically wrong with our car. Limping into Provo to pick up the requested plaques for the Mission Home in Romania we stopped at the downtown location and were met with sounds and smells that indicate trouble. Satan strikes again! Boy he has been busy lately! As we had been promised, one of the "angels" was not far off. Our son-in-law Ian was not 5 minutes away! He came, loaded our 6 big suitcases and ushered us off to a transmission shop just 4 blocks away. Okay we now have no car....... but he delivered us to the Worthington's (Rosemary's sister) who took care of us for the weekend and delivered us to the much anticipated MTC. All you have heard about that place is true! What a spirit and how inspiring to see 34 senior couples in our group and 2700 junior missionaries getting ready to leave for places afar. And places afar it was as we listened to the places our "group" of seniors were going. Siberia, Slovakia, South Africa, Poland, Spain, Peru, Chezk Republic, Romania, Taiwan, Finland and more......
Our days were inspiring, informative and the food was pretty good as well. We put in long days as we had 2 hours of language from 6-8 each evening on top of a full day of training and inspiration from great leaders and general authorities. The climax came on Friday Evening when we had our testimony meeting listening to testimonies spoken in the tongue of the country the missionaries were headed. Beautiful and humbling to see what the Lord can to with us "senior missionaries!" Marie and Ian picked us up on Friday evening and we spent Saturday running errands, visiting with friends and family and having Dave's "last supper" at IN AND OUT BURGER.
Monday morning we will give up our cell phones on the way to the airport and be "on our own" in the Lord's care to some place in Romania via Paris, France.
So, dear friends until we get internet service in Romania ...... Lada verdera, Iubim

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Off to Romania in 16 Days!


Counting down to August 29 when we fly out of Salt Lake headed for Bucharest, Romania.....the language is coming along as we work with our tutor from the MTC 3 times a week then study study study in between "skype" times. (Please feel free to skype us... we will be 8 hours ahead of you all). Until we hear from you or you hear from us "Ladaverde, iubium mult" which means "goodbye, we love you much!"