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NATIONAL DAY of ROMANIA kicked off on Dec. 1 in a big way in Bucharest celebrating their 22 year of freedom from communism dictatorship. The parade route was down Kiseleff Strada and right through the Arch of Triumph with massive military units in full dress marching so pricesly with dignitaries galore.
Helicopters flying overhead along with fighter jets in formation and on ground modern tanks with flags were almost dwarfed by the gigantic arch they rolled through. Red, yellow and blue balloons, flags and lapel ribbons were everyshere. Even the thousands of buses, taxis and metro cars were decked out with Romanian Flags. What a spectacle! To top it all off, all the Christmas lights were turned on with fireworks overhead. Celebration time has begun with all the Romanian Artisans situated in parks and around the city in museum areas selling their crafts wearing their traditional costumes. The branch here jumped right in with a party beginning with singing of the national anthem then food, program and dancing. Many were dressed in traditional costume.
Public Affairs had a big leap forward when Elder McFadden and two missionaries met with Rev. Dr. Michael Tita of the Romanian Patriarchate and invited he and his wife to have dinner at the Mission Home. He along with Pres. and Sora Hill, District Pres. Doru and his wife and ourselves had an enjoyable evening together. McFadden Catering, Inc. prepared a 5 course dinner and had good conversation, pleasant exchanges and ended up with a friend in the heirarchy of the Romanian Orthodox Church. He invited us to visit him last week at the Orthodox Headquarters here in Bucharest which we did. It was an insightful meeting ending with photo opportunities with him and the complex. There are about 19 million Romanian Orthodox here in the country which is about 87% of the population. Being at the complex was a touch like being @ Temple Square in Salt Lake City with all the beautiful old buildings that are used by the head of the church. Different spirit however as everything is so materially oriented. There are few that even enter the churches except to be baptized and at Easter and Christmas. However, as we ride on the bus or tram each time we pass a church, passengers cross themselves three times.
BELL TOWER
There are as many churches sprinkled around the cities and villages as there are LDS churches in St. George. We took a few pictures as we were out and about and came up with quite a variety; all have one thing in common: 3 towers--one larger in the center flanked by two smaller ones on the sides. Inside they are painted ornately with much gold work and hundred of "saints" painted extending to the top of the towers. Have a look..........
The Gala we were invited to attend turned out to be quite an event. We were to dress formal/business for the evening at the RTV2 Television Romania Center which was recording the Gala to be broadcast Sunday all over the country. (We were in church and could not watch it!) It featured those individuals with disabilities who have excelled in the performing arts along with the organizations that give support and encouragement to the disabled. Many of the participants who were there were recipients of the wheelchairs the LDS church provides here in Romania. There are over 1,000 wheelchairs donated and distributed to recipients each year. They literally rolled out the red carpet for us to go into this new, modern and immense building where they record TV programs. Cameramen were taking our pictures as we entered and then off to mingling and a few drinks before going into the recording room. The room had 40 ft. tall pictures of disabled persons playing tennis, wheelchair basketball and other sports, a ramp for participants and beautiful background shields. One of the outstanding numbers on the program was a violinist whose accompanist was blind. They had performed in Carnagie Hall NY and what a touch that young man had on the piano! Fabulous. Afterward there was plenty of food presented artfully as it is Romanian style. Beautiful!
Television Romania TVR2 Studio
Yesterday we delivered 50 soft toy animals that our YSA's have stuffed to the AIDS Hospital along with 8 quilts that have been completed. What a humbling experience to see such a need and they were so grateful for all of it.
The weather has turned very cold after a very nice warm day....we have named it "bi-polar" weather!
Plenty of Christmas events and plans coming up with the branch, zone party with Elders and Sisters for 60, YSA party and New Year's Eve party for YSA District from 6 cities. All to be catered by McFadden Catering, Inc.
Sometimes we think it may be a good idea to come home in February for a little R & R. What do you think?
Tu iubim si Craciun Fericit,
Sora and Elder McFadden
