"The Arts" in Romania

From our little apartment in the big bloc in Bucharest comes the "art" of food preparation.  Several times a week for YSA Institute Class dinner and activities; dinner for Elders and Sisters; Sunday dinner for invited guests and anything else that is needed.  Seems as though August was the "anything else that is needed" month.  It started out with an "over 30 singles" conference in Brasov.  We did a ton of food shopping, borrowed "big blue" (the 12 passenger mission van), cooked and baked for days then loaded it up and drove the 4 hours to Brasov.  There were 55 singles that gathered from all over Romania and we cooked 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners.  Cooking, cleaning up, preparing than starting all over again in the small kitchen in the Brasov Branch building.  This event was a first for the church here and they seemed to have a great time getting to know one another. 

There were get to know you activities, classes  (Elder McFadden taught one segment), sight seeing and a dance with a local D J .  On Sunday Elder and Sora McFadden were the speakers in church.  Many pictures taken of the group and then we sent them on their way with a big bag lunch.  We packed up, headed for home and were detoured through the mountains which we had no idea where we were going to end up!  It was beautiful, the  winding roads challenging and once again we were kindly watched over as we almost ran out of gas before a station popped up in a most unlikely place!  Found our way back to Buc and got another detour that put us in a part of the city which we had no idea where we were!  Found our way home after 4 days, but not to worry Zone Conference was 2 days away and it was time to feed 60 hungry Elders and Sisters.  (That means cooking for 100!)   We have such a collection of shopping bags!  And 2 carts!  AND 4 hands that have been artistically arranging food.  The "art" doesn't stop there.....we seem to be accustomed to it all, but there is "art" on almost every available surface.  Grafatti art is inside and outside the Tramvais, a Metro train that is completely covered, and not a building that is exempt.  So we got a few shots of the grafatti art that accompanies us to the market.  Around the city there are cement walls dedicatd to the "art".  Anyone can paint anytime so the Elders and Sisters took the opportunity to spray paint a giant 7 foot tall 15 foot long  MORMON. ORG in bright green, blue and orange.  You know, we have to get the word out one way or another!

We are excited to have Marie and Ian coming into Bucharest this week!  Then in 3 weeks, Kelly and James will be here for a week or more.  We are thinking of just keeping them for a few months!  Anyone else want to come? 

We love serving even if it is often the art of food among all our other assignments.  Elder McFadden was just sustained as 2nd councilor in the branch presidency.  Sora McFadden wasn't sustained, but is the designated chief clothing repair and atleration person for the mission.  So glad for this sewing machine!  And.....we have another delivery of 50 stuffed soft animals ready to take to the children at the hospital.    AND...a little more "art" is on the bags and programs Sora McFadden has designed for the Senior's Conference.  (Gotta have a little fun!)

                                     Found this beautiful gourd growing in the botanical gardens!

Pickleball is still alive  : )  we got to play yesterday; the YSA really like the game and the weather is perfect for it. 

Oh, and just for the record....we spoke in church today and Elder McFadden spoke in Romanian (with a little help from an intrepreter)  the Romanians were so pleased with him and his message even though they got a good laugh a few times.  It was all soooo good.  Way to go! I do not have the courage to get past the first few sentences, but HE did!

Once again we think of  you often and express our love for you and our appreciation for your love and support.
Vă ibium,
Elder and Sora McFadden