Israel Israel Skype is calling!

This week turned out to be ridiculously busy and super tare!

Address finding

Random mail boxes galore!

Just before leaving, the branch president gave us a long list of addresses to go and search out, to see if any members who had been less active for many many years, were still living there. We started the week out with 8 addresses to scope out in the deep urban jungles of constanta. We got lost many times, were given conflicting directions and couldn't have looked more like tourists with 2 different map out stretched as we wandered around the city. But one by one, each address was found and we ascertained that none of the members were still living in those addresses. We felt kinda like stalkers as we knocked on doors and asked neighbours, but it was also very pleasant because people were very nice to us as we searched and each person we asked for directions, we tried to leave them with at least a pass along card. So who knows? Maybe a few seeds were planted :)

Exchange

I got to go on an exchange with Sora Cook this week! yay! The beautiful sister training leaders, Sora Cook and Sora Kelly, came down to Constanta on Thursday evening and I was able to spend most of the day with Sora Cook on Friday. We had a lesson with Alina set up which we gave to Sora Polatis and Sora Kelly, and Sora Cook and I went to find the last of the addresses given to us by the Branch President. We had really fun time, catching up and reflecting over the past 8 months. It feels like just yesterday and at the same time, it feels like a hundred years ago since we were eating chicken heads and getting locked in taxis together back in Arad. I've learnt so much since then and I hope to continue to grow and change. Sora Cook is a beautiful example to me and I don't think I can ever fully express my gratitude to her or to Heavenly Father for her influence on my mission and on my life.

Skype lessons

We had Skype lessons with Ritta this week!! It was sooo much fun! The connection was fantastic. The first lesson, we sadly weren't able to see Ritta because their camera wasn't working, but they went out and bought a new camera and the next lessons we saw her perfectly. We taugh her the restoration and she was very strong in her testimony of Joseph Smith. Then yesterday we had a lesson with her and her lds husband, Petre, all about the atonement. We felt prompted to read together the account from Luke about the savior in the Garden of Gethsemane. Having just visited the garden a week earlier, Ritta was deeply touched. It was a great lesson. I love her soo much! Ritta and Petre remind me sooo much of Grandma and Grandad, it's easy to be overcome with love for them!

Church

This week with the entire branch up in Kyiv at the temple it meant that we were the only family and friends in town for a girl in the branch who got her mission call (to Toronto Canada, English speaking... she's suuuper excited).
Like I've said in previous weeks, Church here in Constanta couldn't be more entertaining, especially, I've discovered, when the Branch President is out of town. Church yesterday was hilarious. Very uplifting, but also hilarious. Sora Lidia... a 60ish year old woman was giving a talk. She is a tiny little lady, probably comes up to my shoulder. She began... "You all know about my accident..." Sora Polatis and I look at one another... what accident?  She went on to then tell and act out the story of how she was hit by three cars, fainted, and the ambulance was called, her legs were broken but she learnt to walk again. She acted it all out... with limping motions as she demonstrated learning to walk. Then she finished her story by demonstrating, "And now... I can walk, run, and.... DANCE!!!"  She twirled and whirled around next to the podium, her long dress swishing, waving her arms in the air... priceless.

Transfers....

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful week! We find out about transfers this Friday. Since Sora Polatis and I have served together for two transfers , we know that this is our last week together. I'm sad about that, just because of how much I've learnt and grown in this companionship. We've also had sooo much fun! I love Sora Polatis!!! She's amazing!!! I have no idea if I'm staying or leaving but I'm optimistic about this next transfer.

Loves! Keep the Faith!

Sora Rivera