Big Time Training...

The first of the week we had tons of stuff to do in the office and worked really hard to get it all done. That includes getting the laundry done and we packed, again! This has been a whirlwind of traveling for several weeks. I think this is the last for a period of time.

Wednesday we finished doing what we needed to get done and after the landlord came by to pick up the rent, we headed out on the road again.
This time to Slovakia. Such beautiful scenery. The mountains in places are spectacular with beautiful trees. I have picked out the kind I want. Probably couldn't get it home.
More fairy princess castles along the way. I think only ghosts live in them now. First stop Zilina. We met with two translators, three branch presidents and they were given a great training. Very nice people.
This is the sign on the entrance of the building.
This is the entrance to the building. We used a GPS on walking and it took us a very round about way. Brent finally located some policemen who told him he was right in front of the building and that the missionaries were out looking for us.

I neglected to tell you that we met the McBrides and JeanClaude von Tonder from the Area Office there for the training.

When we finished we headed off to Bratislava, Slovakia for another training in the evening. On the way we passed this castle and wondered how the groceries could be delivered, let alone the wood for the fireplaces.

We had a great branch president to train and also a new missionary senior couple...less than a week. Very nice people.

It was pretty late when we finished the training in Bratislava and we all crashed.
We hurried out the next morning pretty early to get on our way to the Czech Republic; that was after a trip to meet with the bank there. Sr. McBride and I had a little shopping therapy. It was really for her, as they don't have TESCO in Germany. We just calmly strolled through the isles investigating what was there. I nearly bought a sewing machine.

Then we were on our way to Prague, Czech Republic.

We had a little time in the late afternoon and evening to explore just a bit of Prague. We have been told how beautiful it is and now we have seen the beautiful part.

This is the tower of a bridge over the River. Yeh, we took a cruse, just for an hour to get oriented. Then we had a stroll down the river bank, looking at paintings and stuff. We found a restaraunt on a docked boat. The meal was one of the best one we have had since arriving in Europe. Brent snapped this one from the deck of the boat we ate at. The view was spectacular.

On our walk home we passed the Opera House. It is really pretty outside.

The next morning we were out of the hotel early an on to find the chapel which was difficult to find. We followed some people into a courtyard where they were parking cars. The lot was designed to hold 10 cars but by the time everyone arrived there were 19 cars. They were stacked deep.

The Mission President, President Irwin, was there along with about 35 -40 leaders of the church. That many local leaders in one room is unbelievable. It was a good training, with lots of questions and dialogue.

When the training was over, again we hit the road. The others stayed for some other meetings, but we came home because we were not involved in them.

This week really moved by fast. Now we will get caught up on all the things that have come in since we left. It is a good thing that Sunday comes...you know, the day of rest.

Unexpected Trip.

Sunrise in Romania, from our hotel window.

The trip was rather uneventful both going and coming from Romania. It seems to be a natural thing to do; go to Romania. We were driving through the mountains and it was pretty slow going. As we went around the curvel I got a good shot of what was slowing us down. Horse in the back of the trailer.

This is Brent and the Olsen children on Liar's bridge in the centrum of Sibiu.

This is the outside of a crypt in a big church in Sibiu. Quite a work of art.

This is Brent standing by the crypt of Dracula's brother. His brother took over when Dracula died.

Here is where he went to church, but some of the people didn't like him and shot him dead on this porch.

This is on the wall right by his crypt.

Ali, this is all for you to get you in gear for your new job.
We hope that sometime we can go to Dracula's castle while we are in Transylvania. It is now Romania.

This is Sister Patton and I with our Gypsy friends. Colorful aren't they. They were very nice. A man from Brooklyn, NY took the picture for me. The man is originally from Romania, but moved to Brooklyn and worked for 18 years there and then moved back to Romania...his pension goes further in Romania.

This is Brother and Sister Olsen from Sibiu, Romania. Actually they are from West Jordan, Ut, but are living in Romania for a couple of years.

This is Sister and Elder Patton, the office couple in the Romania Mission. Also sister Olsen.

We all went to dinner over in the Centrum and didn't know there was a rock concert beginning while we were eating. Just wanted you to know that we had one more experience: A Rock Concert Romanian style. Dinner was good and we walked a long way on the cobblestones. Brent's feet really hurt. I think he needs some black cushy shoes.

This is the view from our hotel elevator. Cool, huh?

A castle on the mountain on our way home. Are you tired of castles yet?

There is a place close around Arad where the traffic gets stalled and so some enterprising people put their wares out all along the road hoping someone will buy. Maybe we can find a way to avoid this road next time.

Brent and Elder Patton worked for several days doing a big audit and all that goes with it. It was harder for them than for Sister Patton and I. We did discover some interesting places within walking distance and had an enjoyable visit. We even got Romanian haircuts. None too soon for me.

Most of the rest of the week, was work as usual and what else....washing and ironing and packing to leave.

When we got home, we also were able to enjoy the company of the Budapest senior missionaries for a couple of hours. Always enjoyable.

This morning at church we were able to witness Zsolt's confirmation. What a glow he has! Both he and his mother enjoy coming to church. Everyone is so nice to them.

The merging of the International Branch and the Pest Ward is going nicely and we are all learning how to communicate even without being able to speak the language. This is a great experience we are having.