Four Years Later

Many of you know that about 4 years ago, I came to Romania volunteering. I was working with children with disabilities and also with children from under privileged and disadvantaged backgrounds. There I stayed in the small city of Drobeta Turnu-Severin and met some wonderful people, and I fell in love with Romania. It was an unforgettable experience. 

Nicola did my hair :D

This week, after receiving voie from President Hill, Sora Fletcher and I took off to go visit Severin for a day, before heading to Craiova for our exchange with the sisters there. I'd called my friend Ramona and set up everything and I was ridiculously excited! It was amazing! We spent about 24 hours with Ramona, her family and the other team members and their families.

Nicola and me

The beautiful little Nicola (Ramona's daughter) was just 4 years old when I last saw her and now she's 8! We had so much fun! I let Nicola do my hair and nails and we became best buddies once again, especially since this time I can actually speak to her. It was also really cool because everyone was like... "uuhhh... how do you know Romanian?" haha :D We spoke in romanian the whole time and everyone was very impressed :) It was a cool way of seeing just how much I've changed and how much I've learnt. 

Nicola did my nails Orange and sparkley :D

Ramona and her team are doing amazing work here in Romania! They've started a new counselling center for youth and women, they are working to promote better education for children from under privileged backgrounds, and they are working to fight against abortion. We also got to sow them what we've been doing in Romania, we showed them the new Romanian church website and even gave them a Book of Mormon: amazing. 

Me and Ramona at the top of the Water tower in the center of Severin

There is also a member who lives in Severin so we went to visit him too. He took us for a walk down by the port and past a cool castle but at one point he very nearly got attacked by some crazy street dogs. I, unhelpfully, slipped on the ice and was lying on the ground as he yelled at the dogs and they growled ready to pounce. Luckily we all got away safely :)

us and alexandru, (the member)

The next day, we headed to Craiova and had our exchange with the sisters there. I went with Sora Wright and Sora went with Sora Newell. Sora Wright is in her first transfer and she is full of energy! It was a lot of fun to be around! 

one of our puppies!!! (her and her brother and sister live next to our apartment building :)

So on the train to Severin, (about 6 hours), we'd brought monopoly deal and sandwiches and crackers and we were playing our game and munching away. There was a Romanian family sitting across the aisle from us, also playing a card came, but instead of sandwiches or crackers, they had brought along for their lunch, a massive jar of pickles and bread. HA! #Only in Romania - I mean really? It was super funny, and I just realised how funny and endearing I found the whole thing. gotta love Romanians, and as one of the Elders said, "We all have our own spiritual pickles and bread, and God loves us anyway" ;)

Love you all! Keep the Faith!

Sora Rivera

PS Missionary humour - Just read Alma 17 and 18 this morning, I just love the verse where everyone thinks that Lamoni stinks but the Queen says, "to me he doth not stink" haha so funny :)